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BERKELEY AND PERCIVAL 

BENJAMIN RAND 

THE CORRESPONDENCE 

OF GEORGE BERKELEY AND 

SIR JOHN PERCIVAL 



CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS 

C. F. CLAY, Manager 

ILonion: FETTER LANE, E.G. 

(IHUtnburgfj : loo PRINCES STREET 




ISrelin: A. ASHER AND CO. 

ILEqjjis: F. A. BROCKHAUS 

ilicto lorft: G. P. PUTNAM'S SONS 

Bomliaa anU Calcutta: MACMILLAN AND CO., Ltd. 

SCoronto: J. M. DENT AND SONS, Ltd. 

ffirofega: THE MARUZEN-KABUSHIKI-KAISHA 



All rights reserved 




George Berkeley, Bishop of Cloyne 



BERKELEY AND PERCIVAL 



BY 



BENJAMIN RAND 



THE CORRESPONDENCE 

OF 

GEORGE BERKELEY 

AFTERWARDS 

BISHOP OF CLOYNE 

AND 

SIR JOHN PERCIVAL 

AFTERWARDS 

EARL OF EGMONT 



Cambridge : 

at the University Press 
1914 



rA 



9'^tK 



V" > 



Camiiri&gc : 

PRINTED BY JOHN CLAY, M.A. 
AT THE UNIVERSITY PRESS 



7 



PREFACE 

THIS volume contains the hitherto unpublished 
correspondence of George Berkeley, afterwards 
Bishop of Cloyne, and Sir John Percival, afterwards 
Earl of Egmont. The collection of manuscripts from 
which the correspondence was taken is in possession 
of the Right Honourable the Earl of Egmont. This 
collection was originally made by the first Earl of 
Egmont largely to serve as material for a history of 
the Percival family, that appeared in 1742 under the 
title of * A Genealogical History of the House of 
Yvery.' Those portions of the collection relating to 
Berkeley and Percival comprised in this present volume 
are found in the nine volumes of 'Letter-books,' 1697 — 
1 73 1, the twelve volumes of the 'Journal of Percival,' 
1731 — 1747, and the seven volumes of 'Original 
Letters,' 1740 — 1751. The copied letters which passed 
between Berkeley and Percival from the 12th of 
September, 1709, to the 15th of December, 1730, 
scattered through the ' Letter-books,' form the bulk of 
the present volume. The 'Journal of Percival,' which 
began in 1 7 3 1 , shortly before the time the ' Letter-books ' 
end, yield various memoranda showing the continuance 
of the friendly relations between them in the later 
years of their lives. The two letters signed by 
Berkeley as the Bishop of Cloyne, and the two by 
Kene Percival, are taken from the ' Original Letters ' 
of the Egmont collection. 

Some account of the Egmont collection is given in 
the 'Appendix to the Seventh Report of the Royal 
Commission on Historical Manuscripts' (pp. 232 — 
249), printed in 1879. It contains the dates of the 
letters, accompanied by various brief extracts from the 
correspondence in the 'Letter-books' between Berkeley 
and Percival. Four letters from this collection, bearing 
date 6th Oct., 29th Nov., loth Dec. and 27th Dec. in 
1709, appear also in the 'Report on the Manuscripts 
of the Earl of Egmont by the Manuscript Commission ' 



VI 



PREFACE 



in 1909, vol. II, pp. 241 — 245, but the calendar of 
these papers ends with the reign of Queen Anne. 
Mr Alexander Campbell Eraser, the foremost Berke- 
leyian authority, had access to the 'Letter-books' of the 
Egmont collection and made use of such extracts^ as 
seemed suitable for biographical purposes in the pre- 
paration of his volume on ' Berkeley ' which appeared 
in 1 88 1, and of his memoir of Berkeley, prefixed to 
the new edition of the latter's works published in 1901. 
The letters between Berkeley and Percival have, how- 
ever, remained, with the exceptions noted, unprinted in 
their entirety until the present volume. Percival's 
'Journal' has also been drawn upon solely by 
T. Lorenz (Arch. f. Gesch. d. Philos. xiv. i) to exhibit 
his later relations with Bishop Berkeley. 

The lives of ' Berkeley and Percival ' are presented 
in the form of ' A Biographical Commentary/ which 
precedes the ' Correspondence.' This historical nar- 
rative will be found not only to exhibit the relations of 
Berkeley and Percival, but also to embody at the same 
time all such explanations as have seemed necessary 
for the elucidation of the ' Correspondence ' and the 
' Journal.' The foot-notes of the 'Correspondence' are 
thereby confined almost entirely to those marginal 
notes which Percival made throughout his copy-books 
of letters in 1736 with reference to his correspondents 
and to the persons mentioned in the text. No 
cross references have been used between the ' Bio- 
graphical Commentary' and the 'Correspondence' since 
these follow a similar chronological order. 

To the present Earl of Egmont a grateful acknow- 
ledgment is made for the courtesy he has shown in 
permitting the publication of these letters, which reveal 
the delightful intercourse and friendship of so many 
years between the public-spirited first Earl of Egmont 
and the distinguished philosopher Bishop Berkeley. 

B. R. 

Harvard University, 
June 1914. 

^ Some of these extracts have been very imperfectly transcribed. 



CONTENTS 



BERKELEY AND PERCIVAL 



CORRESPONDENCE 



Berkeley to 
Percival to 
Berkeley to 
Percival to 
Berkeley to 
Berkeley to 
Percival to 
Berkeley to 
Berkeley to 
Percival to 
Berkeley to 
Berkeley to 
Percival to 
Berkeley to 
Berkeley to 
Percival to 
Berkeley to 
Berkeley to 
Berkeley to 
Berkeley to 
Berkeley to 
Berkeley to 
Berkeley to 
Berkeley to 
Berkeley to 
Berkeley to 
Berkeley to 
Berkeley to 
Berkeley to 
Percival to 
Berkeley to 
Percival to 
Berkeley to 
Berkeley to 



Percival, 

Berkeley, 
Percival, 

Berkeley, 
Percival, 
Percival, 

Berkeley, 
Percival, 
Percival, 

Berkeley, 
Percival, 
Percival, 

Berkeley, 
Percival, 
Percival, 

Berkeley, 
Percival, 
Percival, 
Percival, 
Percival, 
Percival, 
Percival, 
Percival, 
Percival, 
Percival, 
Percival, 
Percival, 
Percival, 
Percival, 

Berkeley, 
Percival, 

Berkeley, 
Percival, 
Percival, 



22 Sept. 1709 
6 Oct. 1709 . 
21 Oct. 1709 
29 Nov. 1709 
27 Dec. 1709 

1 March 17 10 
20 April 1 7 10 
29 June 1710 

29 July 1710 

26 Aug. 1 7 10 
6 Sept. 1710 
S^^" 1 7 10 

30 Oct. 1710 

27 Nov. 1 7 ID 

20 Dec. 1 7 10 

28 Dec. 1710 
19 Jan. 171 1 

13 Feb. 1711 

6 March 171 1 
3 June 171 1 . 

17 May 1712 
5 June 1712 . 

18 Aug. 1712 

26 Jan. 1713 

23 Feb. 1 713 

7 March 1713 

27 March 1713 
16 April 1713 
7 May 1713 . 

14 May 1713 

2 June 1713. 

18 July 1713 

19 July 1713 
7 Aug. 1713. 



PAGE 
I 

55 

57 
59 
61 

65 
68 

71 
74 
77 
78 
80 
8r 
86 

87 
88 
90 
92 
93 
95 
96 

97 
98 
100 
102 
104 
107 
109 
III 
112 

115 
117 
118 
119 
121 
123 



Vlll 



CONTENTS 



Berkeley to Percival, 27 Aug. 17 13 
Berkeley to Percival, 2 Oct. 1713 . 
Berkeley to Percival, 15 Oct. 17 13 
Berkeley to Percival, 24 Nov. 1713 
Berkeley to Percival, 28 Dec. 1713 
Berkeley to Percival, 4 Feb. 17 14. 
Berkeley to Percival, 19 Feb. 17 14 
Berkeley to Percival, 8 April 17 14 
Berkeley to Percival, i May 1714. 
Berkeley to Percival, 13 July 17 14 
Berkeley to Percival, 6 July 17 15 . 
Berkeley to Percival, 28 July 17 15 
Berkeley to Percival, 9 Aug. 1715 . 
Berkeley to Percival, 18 Aug. 17 15 
Berkeley to Percival, 8 Sept. 171 5 
Berkeley to Percival, 22 Sept. 17 15 
Berkeley to Percival, 26 Sept. 171 5 
Berkeley to Percival, 20 Oct. 17 15 
Berkeley to Percival, 3 Nov. 1715 . 
Berkeley to Percival, 17 Nov. 171 5 
Berkeley to Percival, May 17 16 
Berkeley to Percival, 26 May 17 16 
Percival to the Duke of Grafton, 28 May 17 
Ch. Dering to Percival, i June 1716 
Berkeley to Percival, 24 Nov. 171 6 
Percival to Berkeley, 11 Dec. 1716 
Berkeley to Percival, i March 1717 
Berkeley to Percival, 6 April 1717 
Berkeley to Percival, 18 June 1717 
Berkeley to Percival, i Sept. 1717 
Berkeley to Percival, 26 April 17 18 
Berkeley to Percival, 28 July 17 18 
Berkeley to Percival, 13 Nov. 171 8 
Berkeley to Percival, 9 July 1720 . 
Berkeley to Percival, 12 Oct. 1721 
Percival to Berkeley, 21 Oct. 1721 
Berkeley to Percival, 23 Oct. 1721 
Percival to Berkeley, 9 Nov. 1721 
Berkeley to Percival, [Dec] 1721 . 
Berkeley to Percival, 9 Jan. 1722 . 
Berkeley to Percival, 10 Feb. 1722 
Berkeley to Percival, 13 Feb. 1722 
Percival to Berkeley, 3 March 1722 
Berkeley to Percival, 15 March 1722 



16 



PAGE 
125 
126 
127 
128 
130 

135 
136 

138 
139 
140 

142 

HS 
146 
148 
ISO 
151 
153 
154 
15s 
156 
158 
158 

159 
i6r 
162 
164 
166 
168 
170 
171 
173 
175 
178 
180 
182 

183 
184 
186 
187 
188 
188 
189 



CONTENTS 



IX 



Percival to Berkeley, 27 March 1722 
Berkeley to Percival, 14 April 1722 
Berkeley to Percival, 29 July 1722 
Percival to Berkeley. 5 Aug. 1722 
Berkeley to Percival, 7 Sept. 1722 
Berkeley to Percival, Oct. 1722 
Percival to Berkeley, 22 Nov. 1722 
Berkeley to Percival, 16 Dec. 1722 
Percival to Berkeley, 21 Dec. 1722 
Berkeley to Percival, 4 March 1723 
D. Dering to Percival, 5 March 1723 
Berkeley to Percival, 4 June 1723 . 
Percival to Berkeley, 30 June 1723 
Berkeley to Percival, 19 Sept. 1723 
Percival to Berkeley, 8 Oct. 1723 . 
Ph. Percival to Percival, 9 Nov. 1723 
Ph. Percival to Percival, 24 April 1724 
Berkeley to Percival, 5 May 1724 . 
Percival to Berkeley, 26 May 1724 
Berkeley to Percival, 8 June 1724. 
Berkeley to Percival, 9 Sept. 1724 
Ph. Percival to Percival, 19 Jan. 1725 
Peicival to Ph. Percival, 6 Feb. 1725 
Berkeley to Percival, 28 Dec. 1725 
Percival to Berkeley, 29 Dec. 1725 
Berkeley to Percival, 10 Feb. 1726 
Berkeley to Percival, 17 May 1726 
Percival to Berkeley, 6 June 1 726 . 
Berkeley to Percival, 24 June 1726 
Berkeley to Percival, 3 Sept. 1728 
Berkeley to Percival, 7 Feb. 1729. 
Berkeley to Percival, 28 March 1729 
Percival to Berkeley, 25 April 1729 
W. Byrd to Percival, 10 June 1729 
Percival to Berkeley, 12 June 1729 
Berkeley to Percival, 27 June 1729 
Berkeley to Mr Newman, 27 June 1729 
Berkeley to Percival, 30 Aug. 1729 
Percival to Berkeley, 20 Sept. 1729 
Percival to W. Byrd, 3 Dec. 1729 
Benj. Hoare to Percival, 31 Dec. 1729 
Percival to Benj, Hoare, 2 Jan. 1730 
Berkeley to Percival, 29 March 1730 
Ph. Percival to Percival, 4 July 1730 



PAGE 

191 
192 
193 
19s 
196 
197 
199 
201 
202 
203 
206 
207 
209 
211 
212 
213 
215 
217 
218 
219 
221 
222 
223 
226 
227 
229 
231 
233 
234 
236 

237 
240 
241 
243 
247 
250 
251 

253 
256 

259 
260 
261 
261 
263 



CONTENTS 



Percival to Berkeley, 9 July 1730 . 

Berkeley to Percival, 20 July 1730 

Percival to Berkeley, 23 Dec. 1730 

Percival to Berkeley, 4 Feb. 1731 

Berkeley to Percival, 2 March 173 

Percival's Journal, 10 March 1731 

Mr Oglethorpe to Berkeley, May 1731 

Percival's Journal, i Nov. 1731 

Percival's Journal, 7 Nov. 1731 

Percival's Journal, 12 Jan. 1732 

Percival's Jouinal, 19 Feb. 1732 

Percival's Journal, 22 Feb. 1732 

Percival's Journal, 25 Feb. 1732 

Percival's Journal, 27 Feb. 1732 

Percival's Joui-nal, 14 March 1732 

Percival's Journal, 15 March 1732 

Percival's Journal, i May 1732 

Percival's Journal, 9 Feb. 1733 

Percival's Journal, 14 April 1733 

Percival's Journal, 22 May 1733 

Percival's Journal, i June 1733 

Percival's Journal, i Aug. 1733 

Berkeley to the ist Earl of Egmont, [1733] 

Percival's Journal, 16 Jan. 1734 

Percival's Journal, 17 Jan. 1734 

Percival's Journal, 5 April 1736 

Percival's Journal, 27 May 1736 

Berkeley to Lord Percival, [1742] 

Percival's Journal, 20 Nov. 1746 

Percival's Journal, 28 Dec. 1746 

Kene Percival to Lord Percival, 16 June 1747 

Kene Percival to the 2nd Earl of Egmont, 6 Feb, 

Index 



1753 



PAGE 
264 
266 
269 
272 

275 
279 
279 
279 
280 
280 
280 
281 
283 
284 
288 
288 
288 
289 
289 
290 
290 
291 
291 
292 
293 
293 
294 
295 
295 
296 

297 



PLATES 



George Berkeley, Bishop of Cloyne . . frontispiece 

Sir John Percival to face SS^ 

George Berkeley, Dean of Derry . . . ,,217' 

Whitehall, Berkeley's residence in Rhode Island „ 255 

John, Earl of Egmont ,,291 



BERKELEY AND PERCIVAL 

A BIOGRAPHICAL COMMENTARY 

George Berkeley, Bishop of Cloyne, was born 
on the 1 2th of March, 1685, at Dysert Castle, near 
Thomastown, in the county of Kilkenny, in Ireland. 
His father, William Berkeley, was of English descent, 
and may have accompanied a reputed kinsman, the 
first Lord Berkeley of Stratton, to Ireland, when he 
became its Lord Lieutenant. Little is related of 
Berkeley's youth. From the age of eleven to fifteen, 
he attended the Duke of Ormonde's school in Kil- 
kenny, then the 'Eton of Ireland.' On the 21st of 
March, 1700, he matriculated at Trinity College, 
Dublin. In 1704 he received there the degree of 
Bachelor of Arts, and in 1 707 that of Master of Arts. 
On the 9th of June, 1707, he was admitted to a 
fellowship at Trinity, and continued there in residence 
until 1 713. During this academic period the influences 
which would mould his philosophical development are 
apparent. While he was a student Peter Browne,, 
who wrote ' The procedure, extent, and limits of the 
human understanding,' was provost of the institution. 
For a teacher he also had William King, who became 
Archbishop of Dublin in 1703, and who was the 
author of a well-known work on * The origin of evil.' 
The metaphysical speculation of the eighteenth century 
was then at full flood, Hobbes, Descartes, Leibniz, 
and Newton being the philosophers most studied. 
The new philosophy of Locke had, however, begun 
to attract attention, and had been championed in 

R. I 



2 BERKELEY AND PERCIVAL 

Dublin by William Molyneux. The general interest 
in the subject led Berkeley and a few friends to form 
a society for philosophical discussion. There was 
then kept by Berkeley a 'Commonplace Book,' printed 
by Eraser^ for the first time in 1871, which contains 
many germinal thoughts developed in his later works. 
But the first published fruits of this early period of 
philosophical reflection are to be found in Berkeley's 
'An essay towards a new theory of vision.' This 
appeared in 1709, and was dedicated by Berkeley 
to a young nobleman, Sir John Percival, with whom 
he maintained the correspondence published in this 
work. 

Sir John Percival, afterwards first Earl of Egmont, 
was born at Burton, in the county of Cork, Ireland, 
on the 1 2th of July, 1683. He was the second 
son of Sir John Percival, a man of considerable 
prominence in his day, who had held important offices 
in Ireland under Cromwell, and later had been 
sworn of the Privy Council, and created a baronet 
under the Restoration. His mother was Catherine, 
fourth daughter of Sir Edward Dering, baronet, of 
Surrendon-Derry, in Kent. His father died of gaol 
fever, caught at the Cork assizes, when this son was 
only three years of age. His mother married again 
in August, 1689, and the guardianship of the minors 
became thereby vested in their great-uncle. Sir Robert 
Southwell. Sir Edward Percival, the elder brother, 
dying upon the 9th of November, 1691, the second 
son succeeded to the estate and title as the third Sir 
John Percival. 

Percival's early education was received at the 
home of his guardian in England. When thirteen 
years of age he attended Mr De Moeur's French 
School in Greek Street, London. He also received 
instruction during leisure hours from Mr Betterton, 
a tragedian. In 1698 he was sent by his great-uncle 

^ Alexander Campbell Fraser, Life^ letters, and unpublished writings 
of George Berkeley, Oxford, 1871, pp. 419-502. 



A BIOGRAPHICAL COMMENTARY 3 

to Westminster School, where he had an excellent train- 
ing in the classical branches of study. In November, 
1699, he was entered at Magdalen College, in Oxford. 
Here he devoted his attention chiefly to the study 
of mathematics, logic, and history. His tutor at 
the University was Dr Richard Smalbrook, later 
Bishop of Lichfield, who, in a letter to Sir Robert 
Southwell, dated 4th February, 1701, writes: 'The 
greatest occasion of Sir John's expenses has been his 
love of music, which has engaged him to have more 
entertainments than otherwise he would have had.' 
Percival's fondness for music, as here related, remained 
one of his most striking life-long traits. Leaving the 
University in 1701, he made a thorough tour of 
England. On the loth of September, 1702, his 
maternal uncle, Sir Robert Southwell, dying, he came 
under the guardianship of the son. Sir Edward South- 
well. Although not yet of age, Percival was elected 
in 1704 knight of the shire of the county of Cork. 
In the same year he was also appointed a privy coun- 
cillor. A tour of the continent then followed, in which 
he visited most of the courts of Italy and Germany, as 
well as the republics of Genoa, Venice, and Holland. 
After two years spent abroad, he returned in October, 
1707, to England. 

In May, 1708, Percival passed over again from 
England to Ireland, and during this year first made 
the acquaintance of Berkeley at Trinity College, 
Dublin. The beginning of their friendship, of which 
Eraser remarks he 'had not discovered the origin,' is 
mentioned in a letter to Sir John Percival, written 
from London on 17th January, 1709, by his cousin, 
Daniel Dering. The writer says : ' I had lately a 
letter from my worthy friend Mr Berkeley. He has 
a very sincere respect for you and thinks himself 
highly obliged to you for admitting him into your 
acquaintance. You will find him to be a most modest, 
learned, and discreet person.' In a note made upon 
this letter, after an interval of twenty-seven years. 



4 BERKELEY AND PERCIVAL 

Percival writes, ' Mr Berkeley, fellow of Dublin 
College, now Bishop of Cloyne, 1736. A man of 
the noblest virtues, best learning I ever knew.' The 
exquisite and noble part which this friendship played 
during so many years in the lives both of Percival 
and Berkeley may be learned by a perusal of their 
correspondence, here for the first time made wholly 
available to the reader. 

The letter which begins the correspondence be- 
tween Berkeley and Percival is dated at Trinity 
College, Dublin, the 22nd of September, 1709, and 
is written by the philosopher to his friend, who had 
shortly before returned to London. In it Berkeley 
expresses regret at the loss of a valuable collection 
of books, statues, and paintings, which Percival had 
ordered in Italy, and which had fallen on the way 
to England into the hands of the French, with whom 
the English were then at war. Doubts, however, 
are raised whether the entertainment to be derived 
from these treasures would be greatly missed in the 
county of Cork, as the place had not then many 
virtuosi. In the letter Berkeley also urges upon 
Percival the early acquisition of fixed methods of 
study, as more easily gained before than after matri- 
mony, Percival, in his reply of October 6, 1709, says 
that he regards marriage as ' a voluntary confinement,' 
but elsewhere states^ that he has the best opinion of 
it in the world ' where it hits right.' 

^ A cousin of Percival, Helena Le Grand, in a letter of November 29th, 
1708, had recommended to him a young lady as suitable for a wife, about 
whom he remarks in the margin of the letter ' I did not like her because 
she had red hair.' In the answer to this cousin Percival gives with ful- 
ness his views of matrimony. 

7th Dec. 1708. 

To Cozen Le Grand concerning the Lady recommended for a wife. 
Dear Cozen, 

I thank you for your last and particularly for the picture, 
which gives me as full an idea as can be formed of a person whose face I 
don't remember to have seen. You have often heard me say that in a 
complete wife there are six things desirable, viz. good nature, beauty, 
sense, breeding, birth, and fortune. 

'Tis seldom that all these meet in one, nay and almost impossible, and 



A BIOGRAPHICAL COMMENTARY 5 

therefore where they don't, respect must be had to those qualifications 
that cannot be spared, and men must be contented to go without those 
that can ; such as fortune, which I've put last because of smallest 
moment, and next to that family, which may likewise be spared, if all the 
other things hit. The other four must join to make a man happy : good 
nature, or a husband has no peace at home : beauty, or he has no delight : 
sense, or his affairs go to wreck : and breeding, or the world reflects on 
his choice; but I have particular reason to desire my wife to be a 
handsome person, because I love home and intend to be furiously 
constant. As to the two separable qualities, they are not to be despised, 
though inferior to the rest, for a good family is seldom attended with 
beggarly relations, and generally afford friends in power to assist one on 
occasion ; but this is a needless consideration for me who am of so 
distant a country where indigent relations would have no courage to 
follow me, and who have fortune enough, but no ambitious views to 
gratify. Then as to a fortune, besides the conveniences of life it brings 
with it, there is this good attending, that it secures a wife from imagining 
that her husband should think she owed him obligations for marrying 
her with nothing ; a jealousy that often produces ill blood between them. 
I despise neither of these. 

A proposal was made me here very lately by several to address a 
young gentlewoman of very good family, twenty years old, and of ^8000 
fortune. She has been bred up they say extremely well, under a mother 
who is something severe, but I am so far from intending to marry in this 
country that I never so much as asked the person's name. 

To tell you the truth I look upon it as the most important action of 
my life. I see that everybody does it sooner or later, or repent they 
did not, and consider that 'tis really time for me to think of it, seeing my 
brother and I are all who are left; but the many unhappy marriages in 
the world do really terrify me from venturing on a state on which my 
happiness or misery will depend. I find myself at present free and 
absolute in the disposal of myself, which is certainly an unspeakable 
happiness while I conduct myself well, but I know not how constrained 
and thwarted I may be by a wife whose humour should not prove easy 
and kind. I have the best opinion in the world of marriage where it hits 
right, but I know myself so well, that I shall be the most miserable if 
disappointed in my choice, for I cannot be easy with a medium, or that 
they call living tolerably happy together. I have been told that my 
temper is not commendable, and that a man must be contented with his 
fortune as many others are forced to be. The argument is good when 
once we are married, but not so for marrying : 'tis one thing to bear up 
under misfortune, and another to run into it. 

By what I have said you see my opinion of marriage in general. 
You see what sort of a woman would please me, and that I do resolve 
upon it. It remains only that I find her out, and in this search I am 
obhged to any friend that directs me ; therefore, dear cousin, I heartily 
thank you for your kindness therein, and if anything should come of it 
shall never forget the obligation I owe you ; if not, I shall think it my 
own ill taste, and not want of judgment in you to know what is fit for me. 
Our family have been diminishing for some generations in comeliness and 
stature, and I would fain cross the strain by marrying a proper and 
handsome person. Thus I have written to you as freely as I think when 
I'me alone, which I hope you will take kindly. 

I am... 

Percival. 
To Helena Southwell Le Grand. 



6 BERKELEY AND PERCIVAL 

This early correspondence touches upon themes 
alike of political and of theological import. Percival 
remarks (6th Oct. 1709) that he is engaged upon the 
subject of government, since it appears to him most 
* proper for a gentleman to know the measure of his 
obedience and the length of their power who rule.' 
In this connection he calls attention to a recent work 
of William Higden (d. 17 15), the famous non-juror. 
Higden had refused to take the oaths after the revo- 
lution, but had subsequently conformed and published, 
in defence of his conduct, ' A view of the English 
constitution with respect to the sovereign authority of 
the prince and the allegiance of the subject in vindi- 
cation of the lawfulness of taking the oaths to his 
Majesty by law required' (Lond. 1709). It is in- 
teresting to note that Berkeley, in his reply of 21st 
of October, 1709, expresses agreement with Higden's 
defence of swearing allegiance to a king de facto as 
well as de jure. He also recommends to Percival for 
additional reading, Locke's ' Treatise on government.' 
For theological comment a first occasion was afforded 
by William Whiston (1667 — 1752), the successor of 
Newton as professor at Cambridge, who had written 
in 1 708 an imperfect essay on * Apostolical Consti- 
tutions,' in which he rejected the accepted doctrine 
of the trinity. Percival, in a letter of the 29th 
November, 1709, argues against this heresy, and 
bemoans the danger the priest incurs of losing a 
small living. Berkeley agrees (27th Dec. 1709) with 
Percival that Whiston has erred in point of doctrine, 
but affirms an increased respect for the man on 
account of his contempt for material things when 
weighed against intellectual beliefs. Another occasion 
which also discloses the theological attitude of these 
correspondents was the trial of Dr Sacheverell (1674? — 
1724) for two sermons alleged to be 'malicious, scan- 
dalous, and seditious libels, highly reflecting upon Her 
Majesty, and Her Government, the late ha,ppy revolu- 
tion, and protestant succession.' Dr Sacheverell was a 
high church and Tory advocate, whose impeachment 



A BIOGRAPHICAL COMMENTARY 7 

was ordered by a Whig House of Commons. On 
the 27th of February, 17 10, the trial began, and 
on the 20th of March the doctor was declared guilty 
by the Lords. Berkeley reveals, in a letter of the 
ist of March, 17 10, to Percival his sympathy for 
Dr Sacheverell in the drinking of healths to this divine, 
but adds (6th Sept. 17 10) that he is a character of 
whom he 'is not at all fond,' Percival, replying to 
Berkeley on the 20th of April, 17 10, shows an inde- 
pendence in party warfare which characterizes his 
whole political career. 

Berkeley has in Percival an interested but not a 
skilled correspondent in the philosophical realm. 
Through his advice the latter read the ' Crito ' of 
Plato, for the account of the good citizenship of 
Socrates. The willingness of this ancient philosopher 
to give up his life in obedience to the laws of the 
state appealed to Percival as something which entitled 
Socrates more to admiration than even the conduct 
of the martyrs. This opinion evokes from Berkeley 
an interesting discussion (27th Dec. 1709) of Socrates, 
in which he concludes that he 'cannot forbear thinking 
him the best and most admirable man that the heathen 
world produced.' 

To Percival there is also sent by Berkeley, through 
Samuel Molyneux, to whom Berkeley had dedicated 
his 'Miscellanea Mathematica' (1707), a copy of the 
second edition of his ' Essay on the new theory of 
vision.' This work, already dedicated to Percival, 
marks an epoch in the analysis of the sense percep- 
tions, inasmuch as it sets forth with rare skill of 
presentation the truth that every act of vision is an 
act of judgment or interpretation involving a rational 
process. The appendix to the second edition its 
author now says (ist March, 1710) was written to 
answer certain objections of William King, Archbishop 
of Dublin. Other objections would be met in a book 
which he then had in the press, he adds, referring 
to the 'Treatise of human knowledge.' Berkeley 



8 BERKELEY AND PERCIVAL 

mentions likewise having read the Archbishop of 
DubHn's ' Sermon on the consistency of predestination 
and foreknowledge with the freedom of man's will ' 
( 1 709), and expresses dissatisfaction with its merely 
analogical proof of the nature of God. He thus 
foreshadows the reasoning to which afterwards he 
gave more complete expression in his ' Alciphron ' 
(Sect. 19. 21). In the same letter Berkeley also 
states that he had written to Samuel Clarke (1675 — 
1729) to favour him with his thoughts on the subject 
of God's existence, and the proofs he regarded as most 
conclusive of it. Inasmuch as Clarke after the death 
of Locke in 1704 was regarded as the foremost of 
English metaphysicians \ it was natural that Berkeley 

^ The 'Journal of Percival' from 1730 to 1747, found among Percival's 
manuscripts, reveals both his relations with Clarke and the opinion then 
entertained of this philosopher. We quote from it as follows : 

Tuesday, zoih. Jatiuary, I7|-|. The Queen, who is an encourager of 
learned men as far as countenance goes, has caused the picture of the 
late Doctor Samuel Clarke, Rector of St James', to be set up in Ken- 
sington Palace, with this inscription to his honour, composed by Dr 
Hoadly, Bishop of Salisbury. 

'Samuel Clarke, D.D. 
Rector of St James', Westminster. 

In some parts of useful knowledge and critical learning, perhaps 
without an equal. In all united, certainly without a superior. In his 
works the best defender of religion. In his practice the greatest orna- 
ment of it. In his conversation communicative, and in an uncommon 
manner insti-uctive. In his preaching and writing, strong, clear, and calm. 
In his life, high in the esteem of the great, the good, and the wise. In 
his death lamented by every friend to truth, to virtue, and liberty. 

He died May the 7th, 1729, in the 54 year of his age.'" 

He was doubtless a very great man, and besides his learning, no man 
had a more metaphysical head, nor clearer way of expressing himself. I 
believe too that he was a lover and searcher after truth, but whether he 
found it in his notions of our Saviour's Divinity, which he published in 
his book called The Scripture Doctrzjie of the Tri?iity, and several anony- 
mous pamphlets, is a thing disputed and almost universally denied by our 
clergy, who in Queen Anne's time attacked him in convocation, and 
engaged him to sign a promise that he would for the future be silent on 
that head. It was the great interest of Bishop Smalridge am.ong his 
brethren which at that time saved him from some formidable censure, on 
condition of the promise above mentioned, which the Bishop afterwards 
complained to me was not performed by him. Bishop Goodwin of 
Ireland told me, no man was more of Dr Clarke's notion in these matters 
than Smalridge, but that being one of the heads of the High Church 
Party he would never discover his opinion. The famous Dr Whitby 



A BIOGRAPHICAL COMMENTARY 9 

likewise at his death left a large pamphlet wherein he declared himself to 
be of the same mind with the semi-Arians, and recants the excellent 
writings he had published before in favour of the estabhshed and 
orthodox belief. 

Dr Clarke on the death of Sir Isaac Newton applied for the post 
of Warden of the Mint and obtained the nomination to it, which hurt 
his character and was certainly a very unbecoming office for a clergy- 
man, especially of one whose character was so established, and who 
had already ^looo coming in, but he presently saw his error and 
resigned his pursuit. When I heard the Doctor had asked that employ- 
ment I called to mind a passage of old Bishop Latimer in his sermon 
preached at St Paul's Church, 8th January, 1548, where complaining of 
the prelates of his time, that some were occupied in king's matters, some 
ambassadors, some of the Privy Council, some to furnish the Court, some 
Lords of Parliament, some Presidents, and some Comptrollers of Mints : 
Well, well, (says he) is this their duty? Is this their calling? Should we 
have ministers of the Church to be comptrollers of the mint? Is this a 
meet office for a priest that hath cure of souls? Is this his charge? I 
would fain know who comptrolleth the devil at home in his parish while 
he comptrolleth the mint. If the apostles might not leave the office of 
preaching to the deacons, shall one leave it for minting? I cannot tell 
you, but the saying is, that since Priests have been minters money hath 
been worse than it was before. 

Saturday, ist Aug., 1730. I had from undoubted hands in London, 
that if the late Dr Clarke of St James' had survived the present A. B. of 
Canterbury, the King would have made him his successor, and when the 
King was told that could not be because he would not accept it : the 
King replied ' I'll make him.' 

Thursday, 14th October, 1730. The speaker. Judge Probyn, Gyles 
Earl, Mr Glanvil, Mr Temple, and I sat some hours at the coffee house. 
The subjects we talked on were the clergy and Parliament — 

Friday, 22nd October, 1730. The same company met again: our 
discourse was on Dr Clarke's writings. The speaker said his Discourse 
071 the Attributes of God is the finest metaphysical divinity that ever 
appeared, and that no man ever before demonstrated the impossibility of 
more Gods than one, and that in effect if there could be more Gods than 
one, then there may be no God at all. He added that it was this enquiry 
that led him to his Arian notions. Dean Gilbert said the Doctor left a 
multitude of sermons in manuscript, but not all fitted for the press. Dr 
Carleton the physician said he heard nine hundred. The speaker replied, 
three hundred are corrected by him, and will be printed according to his 
design before he died. That they are properly not sermons but discourses, 
and ought to be read carefully, being too deep for use on bare hearing 
them from the pulpit. That he wished the young clergy would collect 
from them the critical explanations he has given of a multitude of difficult 
texts, which would be the best comment on the Bible that ever was. He 
said this is the excellence and delight of my Lord Chancellor King's 
studies, who employs his leisure hours this way and is very learned in 
Divinity. 

The copy of Dr Clarke's sermons are sold by the widow for ^1200, 
but would have come to much more had they been prepared to be printed 
by subscription, as was advised. 

The speaker said Sir Isaac Newton thought Anti-Christ came in with 
the modern doctrine of the Trinity, and that Dr Clarke was of the same 
opinion. 

Thursday, 24th July, 1735. My son Hanmer carried me to court, 



lo BERKELEY AND PERCIVAL 

should desire to learn his views and should feel 
aggrieved that he had not heard ' one word from him 
either on that or on any other subject.' 

Sir John Percival married on the 20th of June, 
1710, Catherine, daughter of Sir Philip Parker, a 
Morley of Erwarton, in the county of Suffolk, who 
was a person of excellent intellectual gifts and who 
shared fully in her husband's long and intimate friend- 
ship with Berkeley. In a letter of the 29th of June, 
1 7 10, Berkeley congratulates Percival upon this mar- 
riage and asks him, 'how unmannerly soever it may 
be to give trouble at this time,' to present to Lord 
Pembroke (1656 — 1733) a book he had recently 
dedicated to him. This new treatise was entitled ' Con- 
cerning the principles of human knowledge,' and as 
Locke had previously dedicated his 'Essay concerning 
human understanding ' to this erudite lord, Berkeley 
may have been somewhat influenced by such an 
example in making his dedication. In this work 
he resumed at greater length the argument of the 
' Essay on vision,' that judgment was involved in 
every act of vision. He sought in addition par- 
ticularly to refute the accepted ideas of matter and 
force, with the view of discovering everywhere the 
presence and agency of the living God. The re- 
ception of the book was a matter of much concern 
to Berkeley, inasmuch as it contained a perfected 
statement of what is best known as the Berkeleian 
philosophy. This anxiety is evidenced by his request 
of Percival in the next letter (29th July, 1710) to 
ascertain the opinion of his acquaintances upon it. 
Percival did as desired, but unfortunately could only 
report (26th Aug. 1710) a very indifferent attitude 
on the part of the public. The unfairness of a hostile 

where the Queen [CaroUne] talked of sundry things with Mr Onslow, the 
speaker, and me — She extolled Dr Clarke deceased, and said to me you 
are one of his admirers. I replied I thought him indeed a very great 
man, and the best textuary of any divine I had met with. Yes, said the 
speaker, and what is more, he has put religion on such a foot as men of 
sense can declare for it. The Queen replied, the world would every year 
esteem him more. 



A BIOGRAPHICAL COMMENTARY ii 

judgment without investigation disappointed Berkeley, 
particularly as he had sought to avert the customary 
opposition to a new doctrine by the omission of ' all 
mention of the non-existence of matter in the title- 
page, dedication, preface, and introduction, that so 
the notion might steal unawares upon the reader.' 
Percival remarks, however, to Berkeley that his wife 
' desires to know if there be nothing but spirit and 
ideas, what you make of that part of the six days' 
creation which preceded man,' To this objection of 
Lady Percival Berkeley replies (6th Sept. 1710), 'I 
do not deny the existence of any of those sensible 
things which Moses says were created by God. They 
existed from all eternity in the Divine intellect, and 
then became perceptible (i.e. were created) in the same 
manner and order as is described in Genesis.' 

The desire of Berkeley for further views upon his 
philosophical work was in some measure met .by 
Percival in a letter of the loth of October, 17 10, as 
he was then able to report, though at second hand^ 
that his recent book had been read by both Clarke 
and Whiston. They compare him, it was said, both 
with Malebranche and N orris, but regret the waste of 
his extraordinary genius on metaphysics. They con- 
cede that he is a most skilful arguer, but say that the 
first principles he lays down are false. Berkeley 
rephes (27th Nov. 17 10) to Percival that he does not 
regard his writings as in the least coincident with the 
philosophers with whom he has been contrasted, and 
he is solicitous to know particularly what fault his 

^ John Chamberlayne, a missionary, who designed to convert the 
Malabarians, was at least one of the means of communication with 
Clarke, as writing to Percival the nth September, 1710, he says: 'I have 
taken the liberty to put into the hands of the learned Dr Clarke Mr 
Berkeley's ingenious Treatise of Knowledge as I did before that other 
about "Vision," and have desired him to give me his opinion freely of 
both. But as he knows it is to be communicated to you, I doubt whether 
he will engage in so delicate a matter; if he should not, I am sure you 
will not expect it from me, the fools shoot their bolts soonest, nor is it of 
any weight if I should tell you that I believe Mr Berkeley's doctrine of 
ideas does, beside other absurdities, solve that unphilosophical notion 
of the creation of matter from nothing, which to me is inconceivable.' 



12 BERKELEY AND PERCIVAL 

readers find with his principles. Although Clarke 
adheres to the opinion already expressed that the 
Berkeleian principles are false, he still refuses to be 
drawn into a controversy. Whiston too says else- 
where^ of this attempt of Berkeley to obtain their 
opinion : ' He was pleased to send to Mr Clarke and 
myself each of us a book. After we had both perused 
it, I went to Dr Clarke and discoursed with him about 
it to this effect, that I, being not a metaphysician, was 
not able to answer Mr Berkeley's subtle premises, 
though I did not at all believe his absurd conclusion. 
I therefore desired that he, who was deep in such 
subtleties, but did not appear to believe Mr Berkeley's 
conclusion, would answer him, which task he declined.' 
This attitude of Clarke evidently proved a disappoint- 
ment to Berkeley, as in a letter to Percival, dated the 
19th of January, 171 1, he expresses his surprise that 
such a candid man should declare him to be in error 
and yet out of modesty refuse to show him wherein 
his error lies. Lord Pembroke, like Clarke and 
Whiston, expresses admiration of Berkeley's ability, 
but fails to be convinced of the non-existence of 
matter. 

Berkeley, undaunted by this lack of sympathetic 
appreciation for his new beliefs, spent, as is probable, 
the last year of his residence in Dublin in the pre- 
paration of his remarkable ' Dialogues between Hylas 
and Philonous.' The aim in these was to set forth 
the philosophy of his earlier works in a form more 
suited to the mass of mankind. What appeared to 
the world at first as mere metaphysical paradoxes he 
desired to make so clear and indubitable as to produce 
its willing acceptance. He would seek to remove every 
objection that could well be raised against his funda- 
mental doctrine, that the being of the sense world 
consists in its being perceived. For this purpose he 
makes use of the dialogue wherein he asks that the 

^ Historical Memoirs of the life of Dr S. Clarke, Lond. 1730, pp. 
133-4- 



A BIOGRAPHICAL COMMENTARY 13 

correctness of every step In the argument be granted, 
until the final result in the exclusion of the materiality 
of the universe appears to have been reached inevit- 
ably by one's own reasoning, rather than by that 
of Berkeley. Later, upon the appearance of the 
'Dialogues,' Percival writes (17th July, 17 13) to the 
author : ' The new method you took by way of 
dialogue, I am satisfied, has made your reasoning 
much easier to be understood, and was the properest 
course you could use in such an argument, where 
prejudice against the novelty of it was sure to raise 
numberless objections, that could not any way as easy 

as by dialogue be either made or answered I speak 

with all sincerity, I am equally surprised at the number 
of objections you bring and the satisfactory answers 
you give afterwards, and I declare I am much more 
of your opinion than before.' But the ultimate goal 
of Berkeley's thought is not attained by the mere 
abandonment of materialism. The argument is carried 
beyond this stage and becomes constructive. Matter 
has been forced out of the world only that he may 
bring in the living God. A divine being can alone 
explain our confidence in the stability and uniformity 
of nature's operations. Already in the ' Principles ' 
Berkeley had expressed these convictions in a passage 
remarkable for its literary beauty : ' Some truths there 
are so near and obvious to the mind that a man need 
only open his eyes to see them. Such I take this 
important one to be, viz. that all the choir of heaven 
and furniture of the earth, in a word all those bodies 
which comprise the mighty frame of the world, have not 
any subsistence without a mind ; that their being is to 
be perceived or known ; that, consequently so long 
as they are not actually perceived by me, or do not 
exist in my mind, or that of any other created spirit, 
they must either have no existence at all, or else 
subsist in the mind of some Eternal Spirit.' Such was 
Berkeley's theistic idealism. His permanent position in 
the history of philosophy had thereby become secured 



14 BERKELEY AND PERCIVAL 

before he was twenty-eight. Henceforward other 
interests replete with fascination to the reader of the 
correspondence with Percival largely fill Berkeley's life. 
The increasing friendship between Berkeley and 
the family of Percival is shown in the pleasing re- 
ferences to the Percival children^ made by Berkeley 
in several letters written before his departure from 
Dublin. On the 6th of March, 171 1, Berkeley con- 
gratulates Percival on the birth of his son and heir, 
John, who was born in London, 24th February, 17 11, 
and entreats the father to read Locke on ' Education.' 
Later in this year Sir John and Lady Percival cross 
to Dublin, and here their daughter Catherine was born 
on nth January, 17 12. The summer of 17 12 was 
spent by the Percivals at Burton, the family seat in 
the county of Cork, but the children remained in 
Dublin. During the absence of the parents Berkeley 
called on the children, and he tells of the ' very 
charming and conversible Lady ' whom he saw, and 
of the ' brisk young gentleman,' with whom he walked 
and ' conversed ' in the gardens. Berkeley also visited 
Burton during the summer, and upon his return to 
Dublin again sent news to the parents of the 
children's welfare. He informed them in playful banter 
that the * master seems not to care a farthing for you 
both. Long absence seems to have produced in him 
a perfect indifference for his parents. And a little 

1 The children of Sir John Percival and Catherine Parker were : 
(i) John, b. in London, 24th Feb. 171 1, who succeeded to the title of 
his father. He married, 15th Feb. 1733, Lady Catherine Cecil, second 
daughter of James Cecil, Earl of Salisbury. His first wife dying i6th 
Aug. 1752, he married, secondly, on Jan. 26th 1756, Catherine, third 
daughter of the Hon. Charles Compton. She died nth June, 1784. He 
became a member of parliament. His death occurred 4th Dec. 1770. 

(2) Catherine, b. nth Jan. 1712 at Dublin and was married on the 14th 
April, 1733 to Thomas Hanmer of Fenno. She died i6th Feb. 1748. 

(3) Mary, b. 12th May, 17 13 and died an infant. (4) Phihp Clarke, b. at 
Burton 21st June, 1714. He died an infant. (5) Mary, b. at London 
28th Dec. 1716, and died an infant. (6) Helena, b. at London 14th 
Feb. 17 18. She married Sir John Rawdon, baronet, of Rawdon Hall 
in Yorkshire. (7) George, b. in London 28th Jan. 1722, to whom the 
Prince of Wales, later King George the Second, was god-father. He 
died in July, 1726. 



A BIOGRAPHICAL COMMENTARY 15 

longer stay will probably make him forget you quite.' 
Miss Kitty, he added, ' is without dispute the most 
agreeable Lady I have seen on this side Burton. 
Nevertheless, if I may be allowed to be a judge of 
beauty, I should give it master for features and miss 
for complexion.' 

For thirteen years (1700 — 17 13) Berkeley had 
pursued an academic career at Trinity College, re- 
ceiving its degrees and holding a residential fellowship. 
He was now to abandon the quiet atmosphere of a 
university life, and for the next eight years (1713 — 
172 1 ) to become to some extent a man of the world. 
In January, 17 13, he obtained leave of absence from 
the College, and proceeded from Dublin to London, 
taking with him the manuscript of the ' Dialogues,' 
which he was anxious to publish. In a letter to 
Percival of 26th of January, 1713, he gives an account 
of his journey and records his pleasant impressions 
of England. His first introduction on arriving in 
London was to Lord Pembroke, to whom he had 
dedicated the ' Principles of human knowledge,' and 
from whose acquaintance he expects much satisfaction. 
A message also awaits him from Steele, who desires 
his acquaintance. Somebody had given Steele a copy 
of his ' Principles,' and this he regards as the reason 
for the courtesy. This eminent writer he finds very 
civil and obliging, and he 'proposes no small satis- 
faction in the conversation with him and his ingenious 
friends.' Thereafter he dines frequently with Steele 
at his well-appointed home in Bloomsbury Square. 
Steele's conversation he finds (23rd Feb. 1713) 'is 
very cheerful and abounds in wit and good sense.' 
On the 7th of March, 17 13, Berkeley writes to 
Percival : ' You will soon hear of Steele under the 
character of the "Guardian"; he designs his paper shall 
come out every day as the "Spectator." He is likewise 
projecting a noble entertainment for persons of refined 
taste. It is chiefly to consist of the finest pieces of 
eloquence translated from the Greek and Latin 



i6 BERKELEY AND PERCIVAL 

authors ; they will be accompanied by the best music 
suited to raise those passions that are suited to the 
occasion. Pieces of poetry too will be recited. These 
informations I have from Mr Steele himself.' After 
the ' Guardian ' appeared and while it was under 
Steele's editorship various contributions were made 
to its columns by Berkeley. 

The gift from the author of a new poem on 
Windsor Forest at this time marks the beginning of 
Berkeley's acquaintance with Pope. ' This gentle- 
man,' he tells Percival, ' is a Papist, but a man of 
excellent wit and learning ; and one of those Mr 
Steele mentions in his last paper as having writ some 
of the "Spectators".' It is with Addison, however, that 
Berkeley now enters into the most intimate relations. 
A contrast of the two contemporary Whig men of 
letters, Addison and Steele, is made in a letter written 
to Percival on the 27th of March, 171 3: 'His wit, 
natural good sense, generous sentiments, and enter- 
prising genius, with a peculiar delicacy and ease of 
writing, seem those qualities which distinguish Mr 
Steele. Mr Addison has the same talents in a higfh 
degree, and is likewise a great philosopher, having 
applied himself to speculative philosophy more than 
any of the wits I know.' On the same date Berkeley 
breakfasted with Addison and Swift at the lodgings 
of the latter. The coming in of Steele and the 
apparent goodwill displayed by all is interpreted as 
a sign of an approaching coalition of parties, inasmuch 
as the relations between the two authors, who were 
Whigs, and Dr Swift, a staunch Tory, had previously 
been somewhat strained. At Easter, 17 13, Addison's 
tragedy of Cato was acted for the first time, and 
Berkeley was a spectator of it in the company of the 
author. In a letter to Percival, of the i6th of April, 
1 7 13, Berkeley gives the following account of the 
play : ' I was present with Mr Addison and two or 
three more friends in a side box, where we had a table 
and two or three flasks of burgundy and champagne. 



A BIOGRAPHICAL COMMENTARY 17 

with which the author (who is a very sober man) 
thought it necessary to support his spirits in the 
concern he was then under ; and indeed it was a 
pleasant refreshment to us all between the acts. He 
has performed a very difficult task with great success, 
having introduced the noblest ideas of virtue and 
religion upon the stage with the greatest applause, 
and in the fullest audience that was ever known,' 
With the celebrated actress, Mrs Nancy Oldfield, in 
the character of Cato's daughter, the initial success 
of this drama continued for almost a month, until, as 
Berkeley says (7th May, 1713), 'people were con- 
vinced by experience that no play ever drew a greater 
concourse of people than the most virtuous.' 

In John Arbuthnot (1667 — 1735), the court phy- 
sician and well-known wit, Berkeley not only gains 
a friend, but he thinks he has also made of him a 
proselyte. 'This day,' Berkeley writes (i6th April, 
17 13), 'I dined at Dr Arbuthnot's lodging in the 

Queen's palace Dr Arbuthnot is the first proselyte 

I have made of the treatise^ I came over to print, 
which will soon be published. His wit, you have 
an instance of in the " Art of political lying " and in 
the tracts of "John Bull" of which he is the author. 
He is the Queen's domestic physician, and in great 
esteem with the whole court, a great philosopher, and 
reckoned the first mathematician of the age, and has 
the character of uncommon virtue and probity.' Per- 
cival writes in reply (i8th July, 17 13) that he hears 
Dr Swift has said that Dr Arbuthnot has not become 
a convert to the Berkeleian philosophy. Berkeley, 
however, explains (4th Aug. 17 13) that he and 
Arbuthnot still differ concerning some notions of the 
necessity of the laws of nature, but that Arbuthnot 
acknowledges he can object nothing to the main 
contention of the non-existence of matter. 

Still another well-known person in literary London 
of this period whom Berkeley met was George 

^ Three Dialogues between Hylas and Philonous. 



i8 BERKELEY AND PERCIVAL 

Smalridge (1663 — 17 19), afterwards Bishop of Bristol, 
whom Swift styles 'the friend of Whiston.' 'He is 
a man,' writes Berkeley to Percival (2nd June, 1713), 
' no less amiable for his cheerfulness of temper and 
good nature, then he is to be reputed for his piety 
and learning,' As the rival of Smalridge at this 
time for the Bishopric of Rochester, Berkeley men- 
tions also Francis Atterbury (1662 — 1732), the clerical 
leader of the Jacobites, who obtained the preferm.ent. 
This Tory orator likewise conceived a profound 
admiration for the young philosopher. When Atter- 
bury was asked by Lord Berkeley of Stratton what 
he thought of his kinsman, after their first meeting, he 
replied, ' so much understanding, so much knowledge, 
so much innocence, and so much humility I did not 
think had been the portion of angels till I saw this 
gentleman.' 

This early London correspondence of Berkeley 
with Percival affords unmistakable evidence of how 
quickly and completely Berkeley won his way into 
close intimacy with the men of letters, who shed 
lustre on the reign of Queen Anne. He was wel- 
comed alike by Whig and Tory, at a time when 
literary leaders were also the allies of statesmen. His 
wonderful charm of manner gave him ready access 
to the hearts of all. The excellence of his wit made 
him thereafter courted for a delightful companion. 
The simplicity and sincerity of his character bound 
acquaintances to him in ties of lifelong friendship. 
One begins to understand the enthusiastic admiration 
of Pope, which led him in the well-known line to 
attribute 

'To Berkeley every virtue under heaven.' 

At this juncture a sudden change occurred in the 
career of Berkeley. The charms of literary London 
were abandoned for the purpose of travel on the con- 
tinent. His wanderings abroad included two separate 
journeys, covering a period of nearly eight years (171 3 — 
1 721), broken by two years (1715 — 17 16) of residence 



A BIOGRAPHICAL COMMENTARY 19 

in England. In his first tour Berkeley acted as chaplain 
to the Earl of Peterborough (1658 — 1735), who had 
been appointed ambassador extraordinary for the coro- 
nation of the King of Sicily. It was Swift who had 
recommended his compatriot for this position in the 
suite of the famous Earl, this nobleman being then 
regarded as one of the first diplomats of Europe. In 
a letter of the 15th of October, 17 13, Berkeley first 
announces to Percival his intention of going on this 
tour to Sicily, and on the 25th of October (O.S.) sets 
out from London. Crossing from Dover to Calais he 
proceeds by stage-coach to Paris in company with 
Murdoch Martin, author of the 'Voyage of St Kilda,' 
and also of 'A description of the Western islands of 
Scotland' (1703). 'The inhabitants of St Kilda,' 
Berkeley says (24th Nov. 171 3), ' contributed not a 
little to their diversion on the road.' 

In Paris Berkeley passed his time between calls on 
distinguished foreigners and statesmen, study of the 
architecture of various noble buildings, and visits to the 
numerous galleries of painting and sculpture. He also 
attended divinity disputations in the Sorbonne. He 
mentions having seen, among others, Matthew Prior 
(1664 — 1 721), the poet and diplomatist, who was at that 
time the Queen's plenipotentiary. ' I have here met,' 
he likewise writes to Percival on the 24th of November, 
1713, 'with a pleasant ingenious gentleman, Mons. 
I'Abbe d'Aubigne, chevalier of the order of St Lazarus, 
who has undertaken to show me everything that is 
curious. I have spent the last two days with him : 
to-day he is to introduce me to Father Malebranche, 
a famous philosopher in this city ; and to-morrow we 
go together to Versailles.' If ever Berkeley met the 
French philosopher it would most probably have been 
on this occasion, but we have no later reference to any 
such interview. Certainly the story related of a heated 
discussion in October, 1715, between these philoso- 
phers, whereby the death of Malebranche was hastened, 
is not only rendered improbable, owing to the affable 



20 BERKELEY AND PERCIVAL 

character of the EngHsh philosopher, but is also directly- 
refuted by the fact that Berkeley was in London during 
that month. It would be well therefore if this myth 
were buried. 

After a month spent in Paris Berkeley proceeded 
to Lyons, where he found the city en fete with the 
setting up of a statue to the King. He was joined 
here by Mr Oglethorpe, who is the same person, it is 
believed, that afterwards shared with Percival in the 
colonisation of Georgia, Together they crossed Mount 
Cenis on New Years, 17 14. In Turin Berkeley spent 
eleven days, then proceeding to Genoa. In these 
cities, colleges, libraries, and bookstalls were the places 
he most frequented. Learning, however, did not 
appear to him greatly to flourish, inasmuch as he was 
shown (4th Feb. 17 14) in a Franciscan Library a 
Hebrew Bible which the friar thought was English. 
At Genoa Lord Peterborough overtook his party and 
sailed with it in a felucca to Leghorn. From Leghorn 
the ambassador set out in a Maltese vessel for Palermo, 
leaving behind most of his retinue to await his return. 
During the absence of the Earl, Berkeley improved his 
time by the further study of French and Italian, and by 
visits to the various towns of Northern Italy. He 
mentions especially Pisa, Lucca, and Florence as cities 
he then had opportunity of seeing. Nothing he be- 
holds, however, causes him any desire to live out of 
England or Ireland. 'The description,' he writes to 
Percival on the ist of May, 1714, 'that we find in the 
Latin poets makes me expect Elysian fields and the 
golden age in Italy. But in my opinion England is 
a more poetical country, the spring there is forwarder 
and lasts longer, purling streams are more numerous, 
and the fields and groves have a cheerfuller green, the 
only advantage, here, is in point of air, which as you 
know is warmer and dryer than with us, though I doubt 
whether it be generally more wholesome.' Three 
months were spent by Berkeley in Leghorn while 
' my Lord ' was in Sicily, and as Peterborough was 



A BIOGRAPHICAL COMMENTARY 21 

plenipotentiary to all the courts of Italy possibly on his 
return other places were visited. Berkeley and Peter- 
borough at length parted company in Genoa, the 
former embarking with Robert Molesworth (1665 — 
1725), previously an envoy at Florence, and the latter 
taking post for Turin with the intention of passing 
over the Alps. After a pleasant journey Berkeley 
arrived on the loth of July, 1 714, in Paris. Three days 
later he writes to Percival that he has taken a place 
in the Brussels coach, designing to return to England 
through Flanders and Holland, In August, 17 14, he 
reached London, and his first continental tour was 
thus completed. Foreign travel had, however, intro- 
duced him to scenes of such interest that he was soon 
again to be lured abroad. 

The letters written by Berkeley from London to 
Percival in Dublin during the next two years relate 
almost wholly to political subjects. The death of 
Anne on the ist of August, 1714, and the accession 
of George the First, had brought about an unsettled 
state of affairs in Great Britain, due to the pretensions 
of James Edward Stuart (1688 — 1766) to the throne. 
The interests of the dissenters had been bound up with 
the Hanoverian succession so that in 171 5 when the 
Pretender was proclaimed the Jacobites began to pull 
down the meeting-houses, which had been built under 
the Act of Toleration of 1689. Berkeley says (28th 
July, 17 1 5), however, that the Tories with whom he 
converses express an honest detestation of these pro- 
ceedings. Berkeley, moreover, sends Percival at this 
time a somewhat detailed account of the events during 
the rebellion of 171 5. He was present (9th Aug. 
1 71 5) in the House of Commons when the articles of 
impeachment were agreed upon against the Duke of 
Ormond (1665 — 1745), who was particularly suspected 
of having acted with Marshal Villars during the cam- 
paign in Flanders. The flight of the Duke into France 
was especially urged against him, as having an appear- 
ance of guilt. In France Ormond openly espoused the 



22 BERKELEY AND PERCIVAL 

cause of the Pretender, and three months later made 
a descent upon the coast of Devonshire, expecting the 
Tories of the western counties to rise for James. In 
this he was disappointed, and after ' laying only one 
night ashore' again withdrew to France. Meanwhile 
rebellion was rife also in Scotland. The Earl of Mar 
(1675 — 1732) assumed the leadership of the rebels and 
marched south at the head of a large body of troops. 
But at Sheriffmuir on the 13th of November, 1715, he 
virtually met defeat, through the prompt action of the 
Duke of Argyll (1678 — 1743) with a much inferior 
force. Mar and the Pretender (who had come to 
Scotland) fled to France, and the Scottish rebellion 
came to a sudden close. 

It is one of the misfortunes of these troublesome 
times, Berkeley tells Percival (17th Nov. 171 5), that 
books and literature seem to be forgrotten. He would 
rather correspond with him on the beauties of Latin 
authors than on the subject of public news. As if 
ready to abandon a life thus incompatible with philo- 
sophical meditation Berkeley now sought preferment 
in the Irish Church. The Prince of Wales, doubtless 
at the instigation of the philosophical Princess Caroline, 
recommended him to succeed Charles Carr in the living 
of St Paul's in Dublin. Percival also wrote a letter 
(28th May, 1 7 16) to the Duke of Grafton (1683 — 
1757) in behalf of Berkeley. On the first of June, 
1 7 16, Charles Dering writes however to Percival that 
Berkeley was not likely to succeed, as ' the Lord 
Justices had made a strong representation against him.' 
Possibly the suspicion of Jacobitism against Berkeley, 
due to his sermon on ' Passive Obedience,' delivered at 
Trinity College in 171 2, may again have been made 
use of by his opponents to secure his defeat. 

Thus unengaged, and with a fresh leave of absence 
from Trinity, in the autumn of 171 6 Berkeley again 
goes abroad. His travels on the continent in this 
second tour cover a period of between four and 
five years (1716 — 1721). During this period he had 



A BIOGRAPHICAL COMMENTARY 23 

as a travelling companion St George Ashe, the only 
son of St George Ashe (1658? — 1718), who was the 
Bishop of Clogher, and a friend of Swift. Berkeley 
acted as tutor to Ashe, and found him ' a modest, in- 
genious, and well natured young gentleman.' Together 
the two travellers passed through France, which they 
found in a bad state politically, the Duke of Orleans, 
its regent, being much disliked owing to the recent 
alliance with England. The crossing of Mt Cenis was 
made under severer conditions than Berkeley had ex- 
perienced on the previous journey, as on this occasion 
he saw two avalanches, was suffered to fall several 
times on the brinks of precipices, and was threatened 
by a wolf. On the 22nd of November, 17 16, they 
reached Turin, The route from this city, which they 
designed to take, was through Milan, Parma, Modena, 
Bologna, Florence, Siena, Rome, etc., as that would be 
the means of seeing the best part of the cities of Italy. 
In Rome, which was reached as early as the 7th 
of January, 171 7, Berkeley tarried longer than he had 
intended, owing to the enchantment of the ancient 
city. His 'Journal of a tour in Italy,' as preserved for 
most of the year 171 7, reveals the minuteness and 
accuracy of his observation. The famous library of 
the Vatican, the celebrated villas and palaces, the 
galleries with portraits such as those of Titian that 
' seemed to breathe,' the bookshops and churches, 
were the attractions at Rome to which he chiefly 
devoted his attention. There were also calls upon 
Cardinals, and music in the homes of Princes. T have 
got eyes,' he writes Percival (ist March, 17 16), 'but 
no ears. I would say that I am a judge of painting 
but not of music \' But powerful as was the spell 
of Rome, the natural charms of Naples, to which 
Berkeley next proceeded, gave him still another source 
of inspiration. The descriptions he sends to Percival 
of this region have almost an Horatian touch. ' The 

^ Life^ letters^ and unptiblished writings of George Berkeley^ by 
A. C. Eraser, Oxford, 1871, pp. 512-594. 



24 BERKELEY AND PERCIVAL 

air of this happy part of the world,' he says (6th April, 
1 716), 'is soft and delightful beyond conception, being 
perfumed with myrtle shrubs and orange groves that 
are everywhere scattered throughout the country ; the 
sky almost constantly serene and blue ; the heat tem- 
pered to a just warmth by refreshing breezes from the 

sea If enchanting prospects be a temptation, surely 

there are not more or finer anywhere than here, rude 
mountains, fruitful hills, shady vales, and green plains, 
with all the variety of sea as well as land. Prospects 
are the natural ornaments of this kingdom. Nullus in 
orbe sinus Baiis praelucet amoenis was the opinion of 
one who had very good taste.' 

From Naples Berkeley now made an itinerary to 
a part of classical Italy not often visited. In this tour, 
of which he gives a minute account in his 'Journal,' 
he crossed the Apennines and followed the shores of 
the Adriatic to the very heel of Italy. His way thus 
lay through the beautiful landscapes of Apulia, Feucetia, 
and old Calabria. Setting out from Naples on the 5th 
of May, 171 7, he visited the small towns of Ardessa, 
Capua, and walled Arpae, on the road to Beneventum. 
In this city he found the ruins of an amphitheatre, 
streets paved with marble, and houses adorned with 
fragments of antiquity. Beyond Beneventum he passed 
among gentle hills and vales, as fruitful as in England, 
until he came to Cannae, famous for the victory here 
obtained by Hannibal. At Barletta he came to the 
Adriatic sea. Southward on its shore he passed the 
Castle of Bari and the walled town of Mola, and at 
length over the old Appian Way entered Brundisium. 
It was Lecce, however, which Berkeley regarded as 
the most beautiful city in all Italy. Nothing in his 
travels had proved more amazing than the incredible 
profusion of its ornamentation. ' 1 here is not surely,' 
he says, ' the like rich architecture in the world. 
Even the poorest houses here possessed an excellent 
"gusto".' From Lecce he crossed a vine and olive 
planted country to Tarentum, where were the ruins of 



A BIOGRAPHICAL COMMENTARY 25 

old walls and of an amphitheatre. Passing northward 
along the Gulf of Tarentum, he pressed inward amid 
the hills and dales until he came to Venossa, where 
Horace was born. He then ascended the mountains to 
Ascoli, in which he found Roman bricks and inscrip- 
tions. From Ascoli he descended the Apennines to 
the fertile plains, and on the 9th of January, 171 7, 
again arrived in Naples to find ' Vesuvius in a terrible 
fit.' 

The summer months of 1 7 1 7, following Berkeley's 
return ' from the most remote and unknown parts of 
Italy,' were spent by him on the beautiful island of 
Inorine ('vulgarly called Ischia'). This island, which 
is situated about six leagues from Naples, had the 
greatest charms for him, ' Nothing can be conceived,' he 
writes to Percival (ist Sept. 171 7, N.S.), 'more 
romantic than the forces of nature, mountains, hills, 
and little plains being thrown together in a wild and 
beautiful variety.' The people, too, having neither 
riches nor honours were unacquainted with the vices 
attending them and might, as he tells Pope, 'answer 
to the poetical notions of the golden age.' But un- 
fortunately they had the habit of murdering one another 
for trifles, which acts were compounded for by the 
governour at ten ducats for the life of a man. Berkeley 
had already been three months in Ischia when in 
September (1717) he thus described the island. Dur- 
ing the succeeding months his Sicilian travels took 
place, these being prolonged until at least the end of 
February, 1718. That they were even more thorough 
than his previous southern tour we learn from his 
friend, Thomas Blackwell. ' With the widest views he 
descended into a minute detail, and begrudged neither 
pains nor expense for the means of information. He 
travelled through a great part of Sicily on foot, clam- 
bered over the mountains and crept into the caverns 
to investigate into its natural history and discover the 
causes of its volcanoes ; and I have known him to 
sit for hours in forges and founderies to inspect their 



26 BERKELEY AND PERCIVAL 

successive operations \' Two Latin letters^ addressed 

^ T. Blackwell's Memoirs of the Court of Augustus, Edin., 1755, 
II. pp. 277-8. 

^ These Latin letters, which have heretofore escaped the notice of 
Berkeley's biographers, are contained in the preface of a work by the 
above-mentioned Sicilian poet. My attention has been drawn to them 
through the courtesy of Prof. J. Douglas Bruce, who has also written 
about them in The Nation (N.Y.) of loth of July, 1913. Owing to their 
importance they are here reprinted : 

D. Tommaso Campailla, Z,' Adamo, ovvero il Mondo Creato ; poema 
filosofico. Messina, MDCCXXVlll. 

Al Savio Lettore. 
D. Jacopo de Mazara, ed echebelz. 

^ ^ ^ ^ "jf; ^ T^ 

' Solamente qui sotto aggiungero la testimonianza, che nefk il Signor 
Giorgio Berkeley, formoso Letterato Inglese, ora graduato in Irlanda, in 
due sue lettere Latine, drizzate all' Auttore, in occasione d' avergli fatto 
copia di alcuni esemplari de' primi Canti di questo Poema, e del Discorso 
del Moto degli Animali, per farli osservare all' Accademia della Regia 
Societa di Londra.' 

Messanae, Februarii 25, 1718. 
Clarissime Vir, 

Ex itinere per universam Insulain instituto jam tandem, favente 
numine, reversus, animum jucundissima memoria Siculorum hospitum, 
atque amicorum, praesertim quos ingenio, atque eruditione praestantes 
inviserim, subinde reficio. Porro inter illos quanti te faciam, vir doc- 
tissime, facilius ruente concipi, quam verbis exprimi potest. Id unum 
me mal^ habet, quod, exaudito tuo coUoquio diutius frui per itineris 
festinationem non licuerit. Clarissimos ingenii tui fructus, quos mihi 
impartiri dignatus sis, quam primiim Londinum pervenero, aequius 
illiusmodi Rerum Aestimatoribus distribuendos, curabo. Si quid interim 
aliud occurrat, quod ad Societatem Regiam Londinensem transmitti 
cupias, id, modo mittatur ad D.D. Portem. Hoare & Allen Anglos, 
negotii causa Messanae commorantes, ad me, ubicumque tandem sim, 
perveniet: Porro Neutoni nostri Naturalis Philosophia Principia Mathe- 
matica, si quando in Patriam sospes rediero ad te transmittenda dabo, 
vel si qua alia rktione commodis tuis inservire possim, reperies me, si 
minus potentem, promptum tamen, omnique ossequio 

Humillimum servum 

G. Berkeley. 

Londoni, Kalendis Julii, 1723. 
Clarissime Vir, 

Post longam quinque ferme annorum peregrinationem, variosque 
casus, et discrimina, nunc demum in Angliam redux, nihil antiquius 
habeo, quam fidem meam tibi quondam obligatam. Deus bone ! Ab 
illo tempore quot clades, quot rerum mutationes, tarn apud vos, quam 
apud nos ! Sed mittamus haec tristia. Libros tuos, prout in mandatis 
habui, Viro erudito h Societate Regia tradidi, qui, cum solertiam, et 
ingenium tuum pro mentis extimet, turn id plurimum miratur, tantum 
scientiae lumen in extreme Siciliae angulo tam diu delituisse. Tele- 
scopium quod attinet Catoptricum, e metallo confectum, id quidem olim 



A BIOGRAPHICAL COMMENTARY 27 

by Berkeley to Tommaso Campailla (1668 — 1740), the 
Sicilian philosophical poet, afford evidence that in 
Sicily, as elsewhere throughout Italy, the attractive per- 
sonal qualities of the philosopher gave him ready access 
to the prominent and cultured residents. Berkeley's 
'Journal^' of this tour is not extant, but it is apparent 
from a letter to Percival that his travels in this island 
greatly influenced his taste in architecture. ' I assure 
your Lordship,' he writes (28th July, 17 18) on his 
return to Rome, ' there is not one modern building in 
Rome that pleases me, except the wings of the capitol 
built by Michael Angelo and the colonnade of Berninies 

before St Peter This gusto of mine is formed on the 

remains of antiquity that I have met with in my travels, 
particularly in Sicily, which convince me that the old 
Romans were inferiour to the Greeks, and that the 
moderns fall infinitely short of both in the grandeur 
and simplicity of taste.' This utterance is worthy of 
a Shaftesbury, 

The letters from Berkeley to Percival in 17 18 in- 
dicate that the philosopher spent the months from April 
to November of that year in Rome. The news of the 
death of Bishop Ashe, which occurred on the 27th of 
February, 17 18, at first threatened to deprive him of 
the companionship of young Ashe, but through the 

aggressus est Neutonus ; verum res ex voto non successit ; nam impossibile 
erat, nitidum chalybis splendorem usque eo conservare, ut Stellarum 
imagines distincte exhiberet ; proinde hujusmodi Telescopia,' nee in usu 
sunt, nee unquam fuere ; nee, praeter unicum illud, quod Author, ex- 
perimenti causa fabricavit, ullum factum esse unquam, vel fando accepi. 
Hodie certe apud nostrates non reperiuntur. Caeterum librum clarissimi 
istius Philosophi juxta, ac Mathematici, quem spondebam missurum, ad 
te mitto, quem tanquam sincerae amicitiae pignus accipias, quaeso. Tu 
interim, Vir clarissime, promovere rem litterariam, pergas; artesque 
bonas, et scientias in ea Insula serere, et propagare, ubi felicissimae terrae 
indoles frugibus, et ingeniis apta ab omni aevo aeque fuit. Scito, me tibi 
semper futurum 

Addictissimum et humillimum servum 

G. Berkeley. 

^ Joseph Wharton says of Berkeley's Sicilian Journal : ' He went over 
Apulia and Calabria, and even travelled on foot through Sicily, and 
drew up an account of that very classical journey, which was lost on a 
voyage to Naples and cannot be sufficiently regretted.' Pope's Works 
(1797), II- 261. 



28 BERKELEY AND PERCIVAL 

advice of friends the latter continued with him until 
their return. , Much time was spent by Berkeley during 
this summer in the buying of prints, terra cotta busts, 
and various antiques to repair the loss of Percival's 
previous collection. Books too were purchased both 
for Percival and for Lord Pembroke. 'The truth is,' 
Berkeley says (28th July, 17 18), 'the Italians of the 
last and the present age are not worth importing into 
England. Those of the golden age of Pope Leo the 
Tenth are scarce and very hard to be met with.' 
Venice, however, was the great mart of books, and he 
hoped for larger success in his book-buying when he 
went hither. The Roman sojourn continued to be 
most agreeable to him, particularly owing to the 
presence of a number of English noblemen, until the 
arrival of the Pretender with a great swarm of followers. 
As the chevalier planned to make Rome his residence 
it became ' an uneasy place to men of different prin- 
ciples.' Berkeley therefore resolved (13th Nov. 1718) 
to leave the ancient city. No further letter to Percival 
is to be found until one dated at Florence 9/20 July, 
N.S. 1720. But at Rome in 1718 he had expressed 
his intention of going to Padua and Venice ; on the 
5th of June, 1 7 19, he had received a new leave of 
absence for two years from Trinity College ; and in 
the letter from Florence in midsummer of 1720 he 
says ' I have indeed been detained so long against my 
wishes on this side the Alps that I have lost patience.' 
It would seem a fair inference, then, that Berkeley 
may well have spent the year 1719 in the cities of 
Venetia, and thereby have completed a tour with 
Ashe of the whole of Italy. From Florence he set 
out in July, 1720, after numerous delays, on his home- 
ward journey. In Lyons he tarried to complete his 
De Motu, which was the only philosophical treatise he 
wrote during his continental travels. At length after 
nearly five years (171 6 — 1721) spent abroad on this 
second tour he again arrived in London. 

This Italian tour of Berkeley was assuredly a 



A BIOGRAPHICAL COMMENTARY 29 

noteworthy accomplishment. Apparently the whole of 
Italy had been traversed, and certainly its remotest parts 
had been seen. The fear of bandits he reg^arded as a 
bugbear. Undoubtedly the charm of his personality had 
everywhere smoothed the way for him. The portion of 
his 'Journal' still extant reveals the accurate character 
of his observations, and if only he had left us his travels 
in the form of a book, with the literary grace of which 
he was capable, few works of a similar nature could 
have rivalled it in human interest. Italy too had 
fostered in him a deeper appreciation of the beauties of 
nature and had given him a wider knowledge of the 
realm of art. Moreover, there had been developed in 
him through his journeyings a spirit of adventure which 
presaged even greater achievements. But this Wander- 
lust had still to receive the promptings of a nobler 
inspiration. The occasion for it was at hand. When 
Berkeley returned to England he found the nation in 
profound agitation owing to the failure of the South 
Sea Company in its gigantic speculations connected 
with British trade in South America. This great fraud 
was accompanied by a host of lesser frauds. Such 
evidence of national corruption led the philosopher to 
write an ' Essay towards preventing the ruin of Great 
Britain.' In it he recommended a greater simplicity 
of life, the encouragement of art, and various sumptuary 
laws. His ardent spirit was evidently now controlled 
by the desire for philanthropic endeavour. Thus it 
was that romance and philanthropy became united as the 
essential factors that animated his subsequent scheme of 
founding a College in America. 

Upon Percival in these years of Berkeley's absence 
(1713 — 1721) marks of royal esteem had been be- 
stowed. Under Queen Anne he had been made a 
privy councillor, and upon the accession of George I 
had been continued in the new privy council. On the 
2ist of April, 171 5, he was created Bacon Percival of 
Burton in the county of Cork, being thereby admitted 
to a seat among the peers of Ireland. Again in 



30 BERKELEY AND PERCIVAL 

December, 1722, he was promoted by being created 
Viscount Percival of Kanturk, with an annual fee of 
twenty marks to be paid out of the Irish Exchequer. 
During the entire period of Berkeley's travels Percival 
had likewise proved the ever watchful mentor of the 
philosopher's interests. Shortly after Berkeley first 
left Dublin Percival wrote to him that it was reported 
that he did not mean to return, and received from him 
a refutation of the rumour. When Berkeley returned 
to London from his first tour on the continent Percival 
again informed him of the murmurs at his continued 
absence. To this Berkeley replied that he alone of 
the absentees had the royal consent. At the same 
time (17 16) Berkeley's application for the living of 
St Paul's also received, as we have seen, the support 
of Percival in a letter to the Duke of Grafton. Now 
again upon Berkeley's return from his second tour 
abroad both Lord and Lady Percival sought to forward 
his efforts for preferment in the Church of Ireland. 

After an absence of nearly nine years, in September, 
1 72 1, Berkeley returned once more to Trinity College, 
in Dublin. He had hardly set foot in Ireland when 
he heard that the Deanery of Dromore was vacant, 
and at once he applied for it to the Duke of Grafton. 
Before Lord Burlington (1695 — ^753)' ^ tocislu famous 
for his friendship with men of letters, he also laid the 
matter. He expresses (12th Oct. 1721) likewise his 
reliance on the influence of Lady Percival with the 
Duchess of Grafton. At length, after some months of 
suspense, in February, 1722, the seals of the Deanery 
of Dromore were passed. The right of appointment, 
however, was claimed (3rd March, 1722) by Dr Lam- 
bert, the Bishop of Dromore. The result was a 
prolonged lawsuit, in which Berkeley employed eight 
lawyers, and still feared that some of the best were on 
the other side. No wonder that he wrote (14th April, 
1722) to Percival : ' God preserve your Lordship from 
law and lawyers.' In December, 1722, he crossed the 
channel, having a very dangerous passage, ' partly to 



A BIOGRAPHICAL COMMENTARY 31 

see friends, and partly to inform himself in some points 
of law not so well known in Ireland.' On arriving in 
London the first house he visited was Percival's in 
Pall Mall. While the lawsuit was thus still prolonged 
there were rumours of a probable vacancy in the 
Deanery of Derry, and this position seemed to offer 
a more favourable chance of success than the Deanery 
of Dromore. 

The first intimation of Berkeley's American project 
to be found in his correspondence with Percival is 
contained in a letter of the 4th of March, 1723. In it 
he says : ' It is now about ten months since I have 
determined to spend the residue of my days in Ber- 
muda, where I trust in Providence, I may be the mean 
instrument of doing great good to mankind. Your 
Lordship is not to be told that the reformation of 
manners among the English in our western plantations, 
and the propagation of the gospel among the American 
savages, are two points of high moment. The natural 
way of doing this is by founding a college or seminary 
in some convenient part of the West Indies where the 
English youth of our plantations may be educated in 
such sort as to supply their churches with pastors of 
good morals and good learning, a thing (God knows) 
much wanted.' As viewed from Britain, Bermuda 
appeared to him for various reasons to offer the fittest 
place to establish a college. The island was nearly 
equidistant from all the other American colonies, and 
had trade with them all. It had the best climate and 
an abundance of the necessary provisions of life. It 
was the securest from attack. Its people were charac- 
terized by simplicity of manners. And men would not 
be tempted by any enriching products to turn from 
their studies in order to become traders. Then, too, 
there were the surpassing beauties of Bermuda, ' the 
summer refreshed with constant, cool breezes, the 
winters as mild as our May, the sky as light and blue 
as a sapphire, the ever green pastures, the earth 
eternally crowned with fruits and flowers. The woods 



32 BERKELEY AND PERCIVAL 

of cedars, palmettos, myrtles, oranges, etc., always 
fresh and blooming.' And for residence it was a place 
' where men may find, in fact, whatsoever the most 
poetical imagination can figure to itself in the golden 
age, or the Elysian fields.' 

The chief occasion for this project of Berkeley's 
has already been indicated. Reflection on a corrupted 
state of society in the old world as evidenced particu- 
larly by the South Sea bubble had caused him to turn 
with eagerness to a more unsullied condition of men 
and affairs which he believed to exist across the seas. 
In the new world, also, it was not the continent with 
its numerous temptations due to settled life, but the 
sea-girt Bermuda islands with their innocence and 
security, that at first seemed to him to ofTer the greatest 
advantages for a college, from which should radiate an 
influence that might create a new Utopia. If, however, 
this dream were to become a reality, it did not suffice 
that he alone should be convinced of the reasonableness 
of his scheme, he had also the task before him of 
convincing others in order that he might obtain 
material support. To attain this end Berkeley with 
unrivalled powers of personal persuasion spent several 
years. 

At this juncture Berkeley's Bermuda plan was 
favoured by one of the most remarkable strokes of 
fortune in the annals of literary history : 'Mrs Hester 
van Omry ' he writes to Percival (4th June, 1723), 'a 
lady to whom I was a perfect stranger, having never 
in the whole course of my life to my knowledge, 
exchanged one single word with her, died on Sunday 
night. Yesterday her will was opened, by which it 
appears that I am constituted executor the advantages 
whereof is computed by those who understand her 
affairs to be worth three thousand pounds, and if 
a suit she had depending be carried, it will be con- 
siderably more.' Thus had Berkeley become the heir 
of Swift's Vanessa. It was the sequel of a long rivalry 
between two women for the affections of the illustrious 



A BIOGRAPHICAL COMMENTARY 33 

Dean, in which one of them had apparently triumphed, 
Vanessa had written to ascertain from Stella the nature 
of the relation between her and Swift, were they 
married^? This letter came into the hands of Swift 
and in great anger he returned it to Vanessa without 
a word. In a few weeks Vanessa died, but not before 
she had revoked a will in favour of Swift, and made 
another, dated the ist of May, 1723, in which she 
divided her property between Berkeley and Robert 
Marshal. Percival congratulated Berkeley (30th June, 
1723) on his good fortune, but with his customary 
caution advised him also to secure the protection and 
encouragement of the government. In addition to 
this bequest from Vanessa, the favour of the church, 
also, was at length bestowed on Berkeley. The 
Deanery of Down had become vacant, and despairing 
of the Deanery of Dromore he sought to obtain the 
former in the belief that its possession would greatly 
aid in securing a charter for the proposed college. On 
the 5th of May, 1724, he was able to write Percival : 
' I can now tell your Lordship that yesterday I received 
my patent for the best Deanery in this kingdom, that 
of Derry.' This Deanery was believed to be worth 
^1500 per annum. The Vanessa legacy and the 
Deanery alike were received by Berkeley with glad- 
ness, not as a means of enriching himself, but because 
they would facilitate and recommend the Bermuda 
scheme. 

Percival now for the second time urged Berkeley 
to seek the support of the government for his American 
project. The royal charter had still to be secured and 

^ One of the proofs given in favour of this marriage is the statement 
of George Monck Berkeley, grandson of Bishop Berkeley, that 'in 1716, 
they were married by the Bishop of Clogher, who himself related the 
circumstance to Bishop Berkeley, by whose relict the story was com- 
municated to me.' Literary Relics^ Lond. 1789, p. xxxvi. This corre- 
spondence, however, shows that Berkeley and the younger Ashe were in 
Italy in 1716, and that the Bishop of Clogher died before their return, 
so that oral intercourse was impossible. If either Berkeley or the 
younger Ashe were supposed to have received such information by letter, 
the numerous intermediate links necessary before it reached George 
Monck Berkeley greatly lessen the value of the evidence. 

R. .^ 



34 BERKELEY AND PERCIVAL 

private subscriptions to be gained. The philosopher, 
therefore, set out for London in September, 1724, 
equipped with a letter of mingled humour and sober 
commendation from Swift to obtain these ends. ' His 
heart will break,' says Swift to Lord Carteret, the new 
Lord Lieutenant, ' if the Deanery be not taken from 
him and left to your Excellency's disposal. I dis- 
couraged him by the coldness of courts and ministers, 
who will interpret all this as impossible and a vision ; 
but nothing will do. And, therefore, I humbly entreat 
your Excellency to use such persuasions as will keep 
one of the first men of the kingdom at home, or assist 
him by your credit to accomplish his design.' On the 
6th of February, 1725, Lord Percival writes to Philip 
Percival at Dublin that Berkeley's pamphlet' had 
appeared, and that the Dean was then busy getting 
out his charter. The patent constituting the college 
of St Paul's in Bermuda passed the seals in June, 1725. 
Berkeley was named as the first President, and William 
Rogers, Jonathan Thompson and James King, be- 
longing to Trinity College, were to be Fellows. 
Funds for the project were rapidly contributed. Per- 
cival himself proposed to give ^200 and the scheme 
was favoured by all classes. The subscriptions from 
private sources amounted (Feb. 26th, 1726) to ^^4000. 
Percival, Dr Bray, Mr Hales and his brother, and 
Mr Beleitha were appointed trustees for the disposal 
of these contributions. But there was still another 
possible source of income. The sale of land in 
St Christopher's which belonged to England by the 
peace at the close of Queen Anne's wars amounted to 
;^8o,ooo, and was intended by her for the support of 
four bishops in America. This design having been 
neglected during the two following reigns it was now 

^ This tract was entitled 'A proposal for the better supplying of 
churches in our foreign plantations, and for converting the savage 
Americans to Christianity, by a college to be erected in the Summer 
Islands, otherwise called the isles of Bermuda.' Here the eloquent 
argument for the plan was largely a reproduction of the reasons given 
in Berkeley's letter of the 4th of March, 1723, to Percival. 



A BIOGRAPHICAL COMMENTARY 35 

thought that a grant of ^20,000 of that money might 
be obtained towards founding the college in Bermuda. 
The affair of St Christopher's was introduced into the 
House of Commons in February, 1726. It was 
solicited by Berkeley with all the diligence, patience 
and skill of which he was capable, and in May he was 
able to write to Percival that a grant out of the lands 
of St Christopher's for the endowment of a college in 
the Summer Islands had been carried, contrary to all 
men's expectations. 

Heretofore it has been uncertain when and where 
those famous verses, in which were expressed the 
exalted hopes entertained by Berkeley for the future 
greatness of America, were first written. But in 
Berkeley's letter to Percival, dated the loth of February, 
1726, he says: 'You have annexed a poem wrote by 
a friend of mine with a view to the scheme. Your 
Lordship is desired to shew it to none but of your 
own family, and suffer no copy to be taken of it.' 
And at the close of the letter there follows : 

'America, or the Muse's Refuge. 
A Prophecy. 

The muse offended at this age, these climes 

Where nought she found fit to rehearse. 
Waits now in distant lands for better times, 

Producing subjects worthy verse. 
In happy climes, where from the genial sun 

And virgin earth fair scenes ensue, 
Such scenes as shew that fancy is outdone. 

And make poetic fiction true,' etc. 

Berkeley entertains also (17th May, 1726) the pleasing 
hope that some day both Lord and Lady Percival may 
visit the happy Western Islands. Meantime it would 
be an honour if only they would send their eldest son, 
John, to be educated in the new college, and if that 
should prove impossible he makes a claim upon them 
for their second, George. Already he had obtained 
in Ireland the consent of half a dozen promising men 
of Trinity College to join him in his plan, and since he 
had come to England he had found a dozen men of 

3—2 . 



J 



6 BERKELEY AND PERCIVAL 



quality who had expressed their intention of retiring 
to the Summer Islands, 'to build villas and plant 
gardens, and to enjoy health of body and peace of 
mind.' 

More than two years had passed after the grant 
for the college had been made by the House of 
Commons, and still the money had not been paid. At 
length, resolved to wait no longer, Berkeley and his 
party, on the 4th of September, 1728, embarked at 
Gravesend for America. Berkeley feared that if he 
continued longer in England the report which had 
begun to circulate that he had abandoned his design 
would be accepted as true. He believed, therefore, 
that it was necessary to go in order to convince the 
world that he was in earnest. On the other hand, he 
chose to depart in a private way lest those who had 
assisted in the undertaking should censure him for 
going abroad before the King's bounty was received. 
In taking leave of Percival he announces (3rd Sept. 
1728) for the first time to him his marriage' to Anne, 
daughter of John Forster, lately a chief justice of the 
common pleas of Ireland. He had chosen her for 'the 
qualities of her mind and unaffected inclination to 
books.' She had consented to go 'with great thank- 
fulness to live a plain farmer's life and wear stuff of 
her own spinning.' The others of the company were 
Miss Handcock, a friend of his wife, Richard Dalton, 
of Lincolnshire, a close acquaintance of both Benson 
and Seeker, John James, afterwards Sir John James, 
Bart, and John Smibert^ an English artist, who 

1 According to Berkeley's biographer, Stock, the marriage occurred 
on the 1st of August, 1728. 

2 John Smibert (i684?-i75i) had occupied a studio near Covent 
Garden, and there most probably painted the portrait of Berkeley, now 
in the National Gallery, in London, which has been reproduced as a 
frontispiece of this book. Another portrait of Berkeley by Smibert is 
owned by the Massachusetts Historical Society, in Boston, Mass. 
Smibert's painting of the philosopher in a group with the other members 
of his party is in Trumbull Hall at Yale University, New Haven, Conn. 
There is a copy of Smibert's Berkeley, by Hart, in the Redwood Library, 
Newport; another copy by Pratt in Sayles Hall, at Brown University: 



A BIOGRAPHICAL COMMENTARY z'] 

became the first trained American portrait painter. 
The intended fellows were not of the party, as doubtless 
it was preferred that they should await the more 
complete establishment of the college. 

Although Rhode Island was Berkeley's destination, 
Virginia has the distinction of having been his first 
landing place in America. His vessel put in at the 
southern port early in January, 1729, on her way, and 
he was received, as he tells Percival (7th Feb. 1729), 
with many honours by the governor and the principal 
inhabitants. During his short stay he visited at 
Harrisburg the College of William and Mary, with 
which he was much pleased. Sailing again northward 
he reached Newport, in Rhode Island, on the 23rd of 
January, 1729. In the ' Boston Gazette' of Monday, 
Jan. 27, 1729, we read: 'By letters from Newport, 
we have an account of the 24th instant, that Captain 
Cobb arrived there from London the day before, but 
last from Virginia, having Dean Berkeley on board, 
etc., who were 4 months and 16 days before they got 
there, and 5 months to Rhode Island from London.' 
'The New England Weekly Journal' of Monday, 
February 3rd, 1729, adds to the notice of the Dean's 
arrival on the 23rd : ' He is a gentleman of middle 
stature, of an agreeable, pleasant and erect aspect 
He was ushered into town with a great number of 
gentlemen, to whom he behaved himself after a very 
complaisant manner. 'Tis said he purposes to tarry 
herewith with his family about three months.' 

In the Percival correspondence several reasons 
appear (20th Sept. 1729) why Berkeley did not proceed 
directly to Bermuda, but chose to settle for a time 
in Newport. One reason was, because by the terms 
of his patent if he had gone directly to the Island he 
would have had to vacate his Deanery within a year, 
and to have taken such a risk would have been 

and also a copied portrait of Berkeley in Berkeley University, California. 
Paintings of Captain John Gerrish and Mrs Hannah Gardner McSparren 
by Smibert are also in possession of the Art Museum in Boston. 



38 BERKELEY AND PERCIVAL 

imprudent until it became certain that the government 
grant would be paid. Another reason was that in 
going to Rhode Island he could obtain lands by the 
cultivation of which he proposed to supply his Ber- 
mudian college with provisions. In coming abroad to 
make such a temporary residence in Rhode Island he 
showed, too, that he was in earnest in his scheme. At 
the same time he would be in a convenient location to 
pass to Bermuda when the promised funds were 
received. On the whole, a better place than Newport 
for this sojourn could not have been chosen by a 
man of cultivated tastes with a desire to lead a retired 
life. The climate he found like that of Italy, north of 
Rome, though not so cold. ' The town,' he says, ' is 
prettily built, contains about five thousand inhabitants 
and hath a very fine harbour.' The charms of the 
soft rural and ocean scenery in its vicinity did not fail 
to appeal to one who had dwelt on the beautiful island 
of Inarime. He fears (28th March, 1729) to describe 
these charms lest he run the risk of being thought 
romantic. The happy response of his poetic tem- 
perament to the loveliness of nature in the environs of 
Newport finds expression in his descriptions of them 
later in ' Alciphron.' 

For nearly three years Berkeley had to wait the 
outcome of his Bermuda scheme. After several 
months' residence in Newport he perfected the purchase 
of land and built a house in a beautiful location about 
three miles from the town. The place he called 
' Whitehall ' in loyal remembrance of the London 
Palace of the English Kings from Henry VIII to 
James II. Here he began his domestic life. 'For 
my amusement' he writes Percival (27th June, 1729), 
' I have got a little son.' And on the 30th of August 
he remarks of this first child named Henry by him^ : 

1 The children of Berkeley were : (i) Henry, bapt. ist Sept. 1729 in 
Newport; a resident in Ireland in 1752. (2) Lucia, b. in Feb. 1731. 
On the tombstone of Nathanial Kay in Trinity Churchyard, Newport, is 
this inscription: 'Joining to the south of this tomb lies Lucia Berkeley. 
Obiit the 5th of September, 1731.' (3) George, b. 28th Sept. 1733 in 



A BIOGRAPHICAL COMMENTARY 39 

' My little son thrives, and we are already flattered by 
the neighbours upon his parts and person.' Berkeley's 
companions, Dalton, James, and Smibert were early 
lured to Boston, 'the great place of pleasure and resort 
in these parts,' but the retirement of Whitehall was 
more agreeable to him ' after the long fatigue of 
business,' His relations with the people of the place 
were most friendly. Visitors were not infrequent at 
Whitehall, but he himself rarely left Newport. Of 
the rest of New England he saw very little, not even 
visiting Boston until the time of his departure from it 
for England. On his arrival he had been met very 
cordially by the Rev. James Honyman, rector of 
Trinity Church in Newport, and for a time he resided 
in this clergyman's house. Accompanied by Smibert 
he also visited the Rev. James McSparren at Narra- 
gansett. In Rhode Island there was large toleration 
in religious opinions and the Quakers and ' other 
sectaries ' flocked to hear him as often as he preached 
in Trinity\ Best of all he found a welcome for his 
philosophy which had not yet been accorded it in 
England. The first able metaphysical thinker to 
accept the Berkeleian system was the Rev. Samuel 
Johnson^, then a rector in Stratford, Connecticut, and 
subsequently the first President of King's College. 
With him Berkeley held delightful intercourse in 
regard to their common faith and philosophy. There 
was also a sufficient number of cultivated people 

London, m. Eliza Frinsham in 1761, d. 6th Jan. 1795. He was the father 
of George Monck Berkeley, the author of Literary Relics. (4) John, 
bapt. nth April, 1735, d. Oct. 1735. (5) William, bapt. loth Dec. 1736, 
d. at Cloyne in March, 175 1. (6) Julia, bapt. at Cloyne, 25th Oct. 1738. 

1 In 1733 Berkeley gave an organ valued at ^500 to Trinity Church, 
which was used by it for many years. Its handsome walnut and oak 
case, surmounted by a gilded crown and mitre, still enclose the present 
organ. The original keyboard is in possession of the Historical Society 
in Newport. 

^ In 1752 Johnson published in support of the Berkeleian philosophy 
a work entitled 'Elementa philosophica : Noetica, or things relating to the 
mind or understanding ; and Ethica, or things relating to the behaviour.' 

Jonathan Edwards, too, held a system of idealism similar to 
Berkeley's, but he is believed to have arrived at it independently ot 
the English philosopher. 



40 BERKELEY AND PERCIVAL 

interested in speculative topics to unite with Berkeley 
in the formation of a 'Philosophical Society^' in 
Newport. 

Amid surroundings such as we have described, it 
is not surprising that Berkeley, early in his sojourn at 
Newport, should have been impressed with its suitable- 
ness for his proposed college. In the very first letter 
(7th Feb. 1729) to Percival after he reached there he 
says : ' And (that which pleases me beyond all things) 
there is a more probable prospect of doing good here 
than in any other part of the world. I am so fully 
convinced of this, that (were it in my power) I should 
not demur one moment about situating our college 
here.' He still intended, however, to carry out his 
original plan of placing his college in Bermuda, if a 
change of location should prevent his obtaining the 
government grant. The steps taken in regard to such 
a change were at first of a somewhat pronounced 
character. He even writes to some friends giving as 
he believes the weightiest reasons for the northern 
location, but considers it not advisable to discuss the 
situation until the St Christopher's money is paid. 
Percival says (12th June, 1729) those with whom he 
has conversed think that Rhode Island would be a 
better place than Bermuda in which to establish a 
college, but he is unable to state what prospect there 
would be of getting the ^20,000. The purchase of 
lands in Rhode Island is at all events, he adds, no 
secret in England. The keenest critic by far in 
America of the Bermudian plan was William Byrd 
(1674 — 1744), a wealthy colonial Virginian, and a 
man of letters. Byrd had been educated in England, 
possessed a superb private library, and wielded a virile 
pen. In a letter (loth June, 1729) to Percival he 
directs the shafts of his trenchant wit against the 
' romantic ' project. The Dean he regards ' as much 
a Don Quixote in zeal, as that renowned knight was 

^ From this Society originated the present Redwood Library of 
Newport. 



A BIOGRAPHICAL COMMENTARY 41 

in chivalry.' In the dream of Bermuda^ as offering 
a dimatic and scenic elysium for a college, Berkeley 
was, however, more nearly right than his opponent. 
But there cannot be a successful institution of learning 
without students, and it is here that Byrd wisely and 
wittily points out the real defect of the project. To 
obtain students, he says, ' the Dean must have the 
command of half a dozen regiments, with which he, 
or one of his professors, in the quality of a Lieutenant 
General, must make a descent upon the coast of 
Florida, and take as many prisoners as he can. Nor 
will your Lordship think this extravagant, considering 
that a wild scheme in order to be consistent with itself 
should have wild measures to carry it on.' As an 
instance of the Dean's unwisdom Byrd with a southern 
bias remarks upon the imprudence of purchasing land 
in a northern colony, perchance overlooking the other 
advantages of intercourse with those he elsewhere 
styles the ' Saints of New England.' Percival briefly 
replies (3rd Dec. 1729) to Byrd that the Dean has 
already had ample chance in Rhode Island of seeing 
things with his own eyes, and is as resolute to proceed 
as ever. 

For the payment of the government grant of 
^20,000 Berkeley was destined to wait at Newport in 
vain. He had written Robert Clayton (1695 — 1758) 
to whom he had given the charge of his college affairs, 
to make a demand upon the Treasury for a direct 
answer as to its intention, but no reply had been 
forthcoming. Dr Clayton having been appointed to 
the Bishopric of Killala in 1729 — 30, Martin Benson 
(1689 — 1752), then Archdeacon of Berkshire, and 
afterwards Bishop of Gloucester, ' a true friend of 
Berkeley,' was through Percival chosen to take into 
custody the patents and college seal, and to inform the 

^ William Dean Howells says of the island, 'there is more beauty to 
the square foot in Bermuda than anywhere else in the world....! used to 
recall Italy there, but for beauty Italy is nowhere beside Bermuda, and 
has only the advantage of being historical.' Harper's Magazine, Dec. 
191 1, p. 16. 



42 BERKELEY AND PERCIVAL 

Dean what course he had better take or what he 
might expect. Percival had even begun (9th July, 
I 730) to think that if the money were paid it would 
only be by some miraculous influence from above. 
Lord Townshend (1674 — 1738) he had heard 'had 
some politic reason against advancing learning in 
America,' but he had recently resigned from the 
government. Another Lord, too, considered that 
learning might tend to make the colonies independent 
of the mother country. The Bishop of Salisbury 
remarked afterwards, ' that all was done out of regard 
to the man, not the design.' Percival, however, main- 
tained that many wise and good men differed from his 
Lordship. Governour Hunter of New York also 
was said to have disapproved of Bermuda, but Percival 
had replied that that was because the Governour 
would have Berkeley, as he told him, settle in New 
York. Undoubtedly the chief weapon used against 
the college was the rumour which had spread that the 
original plan of Bermuda as a location had been 
abandoned. In vain Berkeley strove to undeceive the 
people, trying to make clear that he had decided that 
Bermuda after all was the proper place, especially as 
the monev had been voted for that location. In vain, 
too, Percival declared on all occasions that Berkeley's 
residence in Rhode Island was only temporary, and 
that it was his ultimate purpose to settle in Bermuda. 
Sir Robert Walpole (1676 — 1745) Percival writes 
(23rd Dec. 1730) has said in confidence to Mr Hutchin- 
son that the money would never be paid. To Edmund 
Gibson (1669 — 1748), the Bishop of London, Walpole 
also said when pressed for a definite reply : 'If you 
put this question to me as a minister, I must, and can, 
assure you, that the money shall undoubtedly be paid, 
as soon as suits with public convenience ; but if you 
ask me as a friend, whether Dean Berkeley should 
continue in America, expecting the payment of ^20,000, 
I advise him by all means to return to Europe, and to 
give up his present expectations.' Berkeley was thus 



A BIOGRAPHICAL COMMENTARY 43 

at length compelled to give up all hopes of carrying 
out his cherished design. The disappointment lay 
heavy upon his spirits, but the influences adverse to 
his project were beyond his control. There was no 
alternative but to tell (2nd March, 1731) Percival that 
his thoughts were now set towards Europe, where he 
would endeavour to be useful in some other way. 
But his departure was delayed for a time owing to the 
birth of his daughter Lucia. The child lived, however, 
only a few months, as she died on the 5th of September, 
1 73 1, and was buried in Trinity Churchyard, Newport. 
A few days after this sad closing experience in America, 
Berkeley bade farewell to Rhode Island, and sailing 
a little later from Boston, Massachusetts, arrived in 
London on the 30th of October, 1731, having been 
absent a little over three years. 

The elevation of sentiment and the means em- 
ployed in the mission of Berkeley make it something 
more than the ' romantic design ' of Swift. ' The 
founding of a college for the spreading of religion and 
learning in America,' was no foolish project. In the 
choice of Bermuda for its location, it is true, Berkeley 
erred, not because, as we have said, the island was 
lacking in natural and climatic fitness, but owing to its 
distance from the continent. Of the correctness of 
the conviction entertained by him, when he first arrived 
in America, of the suitableness of Rhode Island for an 
institution of learning the founding of Brown University 
in that state is a permanent proof Newport with its 
delightful location and picturesque surroundings would 
have been an ideal place for a college, and one founded 
there under the inspiration of Berkeley could not have 
failed to justify in large measure the philosopher's 
dreams of benefit through it to America. Granted 
this continental location for the college, the opinion of 
Thomas Blackwell, who was invited by Berkeley to 
be one of the young professors on the new foundation, 
showed true foresight of its value when he said that 'it 
was a loss to the western world when this noble and 



44 BERKELEY AND PERCIVAL 

exalted plan of an American University was not 
carried into execution.' Berkeley certainly had dis- 
played in the project a rare gift in the ability with 
which he aroused in others an enthusiasm for it similar 
to his own, an undoubted heroism of example in leading 
the way abroad, and an entire unselfishness of ideals 
in seeking to promote Christian civilization in the 
New World. 

The influence and inspiration of Berkeley's visit^ 
and efforts have not been lost in America. Better, 
possibly, than the founding of a single college has 
been the stimulus felt in this continent, at first from 
his personal aid and counsel, and later even more by 
the thought of his heroic devotion in behalf of higher 
education. The halo of his illustrious name has not 
been confined to a particular locality or institution. 
His own gifts to its colleges were made in spite of any 
sectarian differences which have prevailed. Owing 
largely to personal intercourse with the Rev. Samuel 
Johnson and the Rev. Jared Eliot he was best ac- 
quainted with the ' College at New Haven.' Some 
clergymen who had been educated there had also 
become Anglican. Upon his return to England as this 
college ' came nearest his own plan he was desirous to 
encourage it,' and therefore recommended it as he says 
(14th March, 1732) to his subscribers. In the year 
1732, he sent to its President a deed of Whitehall^ at 

^ Among authoritative works to be consulted on Berkeley's visit to 
America are Daniel C. Oilman's ' Bishop Berkeley's gifts to Yale 
College' in the 'New Haven Historical Society Papers,' vol. i. 1865, 
pp. 147-170; Noah Porter's 'The two-hundredth birthday ,of Bishop 
George Berkeley,' N.Y. 1885 ; Moses Coit Tyler's 'Three men of letters,' 
N.Y. 1895 ('Berkeley and his American visit,' pp. 3-70); and Charles 
Rawson Thurston's ' Bishop Berkeley in New England,' The New 
England Magazine, vol. xxi. 1899, PP- 64-82 (illustrated). 

A Latin oration upon the life and character of Bishop Berkeley was 
delivered at the time of his death by Ezra Stiles, afterwards President of 
Yale University. 

2 Of Whitehall, Mr Alfred G. Langley, the English translator of 
Leibniz, writes from Newport that the Society of Colonial Dames in 
the State of Rhode Island purchased in 1900 the long lease of the 
house and a half acre of land at Whitehall, and will hereafter maintain 
the place as a memorial of Berkeley. 



A BIOGRAPHICAL COMMENTARY 45 

Newport, the yearly rents and profits from which 
were to be spent for the maintenance of three bachelors^ 
to be chosen for their excellence in Greek and Latin. 
In the next year (1733) he also sent collections^ of 
books both to Yale and Harvard. King's College^ in 
New York, too, was a little later founded largely on 
the model which he advised in a letter to his friend 
Samuel Johnson its first President. The College of 
Philadelphia* followed also his wise counsel in its early 
organization. Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, 
where the President sits at the annual commencement 
in a chair that once belonged to Berkeley, and the 
Berkeley Divinity School in Middletown, Connecticut, 
which bears his name^ still keep him in loyal remem- 
brance. In all the great institutions of learning, which 
have been founded in the various states, as settlement 
has pressed westward across the continent, the phi- 
losophy of Berkeley has been expounded. At the 
farthest limit of the west, on the shores of the Pacific, 
overlooking the golden gate, there has been bestowed 
upon a university town the name of Berkeley ' in 
remembrance of one of the very best of the early 
friends of college education in America,' and in it the 
State of California has erected its university, alike as 
a monument to the learning and vision of the English 

^ These Berkeleian scholars continue still to be appointed at Yale 
University from the income of the rentals of Whitehall. 

2 The collection of about looo volumes given to Yale is still in 
existence, but that given to Harvard was mostly, if not entirely, destroyed 
by fire in 1764. 

^ Columbia University. 

* University of Pennsylvania. 

^ Berkeley School in Bermuda and Cloyne School in Newport were 
likewise named for Bishop Berkeley. - Secondary schools in New York, 
Providence, and also other cities bear his name. There is a Berkeley 
Memorial Chapel in Middletown, not far from Whitehall, where Berkeley 
resided. A handsome Berkeley memorial window, too, has been placed 
in the chapel at Yale University. 

Of places, the ledge under the Hanging Rocks at Newport which 
Berkeley describes in his ' Alciphron ' is still known as the Bishop's seat. 
Berkeley Street, in the old academic town of Cambridge, was named 
for the philosopher by Richard Henry Dana, 2d, a student of his works. 
Berkley in Massachusetts and Berkeley in California both witness in 
their naming his influence in America. 



46 BERKELEY AND PERCIVAL 

philosopher and as an evidence of a yearning for the 
fulfilment of his prophecy : 

' Westward the course of Empire takes its way, 

The four first acts already past, 
A fifth shall close the drama with the day, 
The world's great effort is the last.' 

Percival in the years of Berkeley's unselfish enter- 
prise in America, had also entered upon a career of 
philanthropic endeavour in connection with the new 
world. At the general election in August, 1727, he 
had been returned to the British House of Commons 
for the borough of Harwich. On the 25th of February, 
1729, he was appointed by the Commons on the select 
committee, of which James Edward Oglethorpe (1696 — 
1785) was chairman, to inquire into the state of the 
gaols, Berkeley, when in Rhode Island, congratulates 
{30th August, 1729) him on his share in redressing 
the villanies of Fleet Prison, and for being * recorded 
as a principal agent in that most laudable piece of 
justice and charity.' The knowledge of pauperism 
and of the necessity of seeking an economic remedy, 
which Oglethorpe and Percival gained through that 
investigation, led them into the great work of their 
lives. Oglethorpe, as Percival says, ' gave the first 
hint of the project' in 1729, but the latter was his 
chief supporter throughout the undertaking. Their 
project was to found a settlement in the colony of 
Georgia, a region lying between the rivers Savannah 
and Altamaha in America, for the purpose of providing 
an asylum for insolvent debtors and for persons fleeing 
from religious persecution. The motives of charity 
and humanity which prompted the scheme, the char- 
acter of the colonists to be selected, and the method of 
allotment of land among them, are set forth at some 
length by Oglethorpe in a letter of May, 1731, ad- 
dressed to Berkeley before he left Newport. Not 
long after Berkeley's return we find (12th Jan. 1732) 
the Dean and Oglethorpe at Percival's home discussing 



A BIOGRAPHICAL COMMENTARY 47 

with him from dinner to ten o'clock the Carolina 
project. Percival sought to know of Berkeley, if 
having abandoned the Bermuda project, he would be 
willing to turn over some part of the subscriptions 
obtained for it, to the Carolina settlement, but the 
Dean, however, preferred, as we have seen, that they 
should go to the support of the college in Connecticut. 
A royal charter dated the 9th of June, 1732, having 
been obtained for establishing the Georgia colony, 
Percival was appointed the first president of its trustees. 
On the 30th of October, 1732, Oglethorpe embarked 
at Deptford with one hundred and twenty settlers. 
As Oglethorpe fostered the life of the infant colony in 
Georgia, so Percival became the chief patron and 
guardian of the plantation in England. The early 
history of Georgia is thus largely the narrative of their 
united efforts. For eleven years Percival kept in his 
'Journal' a record of the transactions of its trustees, and 
the ' Georgfea affairs ' remained his constant concern 
until he was compelled to resign from the board on 
account of ill health. ' Owing to his zeal,' as stated in 
the preamble of his patent, * in promoting the interest 
of his country, both in the old and in the new world,' 
Percival was still farther advanced in the peerage of 
Ireland by being created in 1733 the first Earl of 
Egmont. ' My wife and I,' he writes in his 'Journal ' 
on the 15th of August, 'went to Hampton Court, 
where I kissed the hands of the King, Queen, and 
Prince, for being made Earl by the title of Egmont, in 
the county of Cork.' 

Soon after Berkeley returned to London the fruits 
of his literary labor in America were given to the 
world by the publication of his ' Alciphron, or the 
Minute Philosopher.' A copy of this work was sent 
(19th Feb. 1732) to Percival, who surmised from its 
Socratic style that it was written by Berkeley, although 
he had not been told by its author that any such work 
was about to appear. The treatise met with immediate 
success, reachmg a second edition within a year, and 



48 BERKELEY AND PERCIVAL 

appearing in French in 1734. As in the ' Hylas and 
Philonous' Berkeley here employs the Platonic dialogue, 
in the successful use of which he has not been surpassed 
in English literature. Graphic descriptions of Rhode 
Island scenery likewise afforded a delightful setting 
for this dramatic procedure. In seven dialogues he 
sought to apply his new principles to a criticism of the 
'minute philosophy' of the age in vindication of religion. 
Freethinking, as he had written Percival (2nd March, 
1 731), appeared to be the chief source of opposition to 
his proposed college, and also the cause of most of the 
other evils of the age. While it spread he thought it 
vain to hope for any good, either to the mother country 
or the colonies. In his second dialogue Mandeville is 
represented by Lysicles, and in the third dialogue 
Shaftesbury's ethical theory is discussed. Collins as 
well as other freethinkers are kept in mind throughout. 
Although marred by the fact that Berkeley failed to 
grasp the essential position of Shaftesbury's system in 
regard to the relation of morality and religion \ the 
work as a whole was a brilliant attempt to stem the 
prevailing tide of unbelief of the period. Atheism 
is here confronted with the evidence of an omni- 
present intelligence. Nature is portrayed as a visible 
language, in which divine power and goodness are 
continually manifested. The living soul of the uni- 
verse is God. 

Berkeley resided at Green Street, in London, from 
1732 to 1734. During this time he was a frequent 

^ The Hon. A. J. Balfour similarly mars an otherwise finely written 
account of ' Berkeley's Life and Writing ' by a bitter polemic against 
Shaftesbury, in which he deals more largely with superficial details than 
with the real aim and essential thought of the philosopher. One who is 
so much irritated by the efforts affirmed of Shaftesbury to figure as ' a fine 
gentleman ' is still far from being acquainted with the noble character of 
the man. If Shaftesbury's creed were as stated 'a shallow optimism,' 
what is to be said of Berkeley's altruism in the ' Alciphron.' A philosopher, 
too, like Shaftesbury, who sought to replace an ethics based on the sordid 
motives of rewards and punishments, so current in the theology of his 
time, by a true piety founded in a love of God for his own sake, can 
hardly be included with those in any period who have done ' small 
service to morality.' 



A BIOGRAPHICAL COMMENTARY 49 

visitor at the home of Percival, Another guest at 
dinner with him there was the well known Pierre 
Frangois de Courayer (1695 — 1776), who had written 
works in defence of Anglican orders and was obliged 
to fly from France and take refuge in England. At 
Percival's concerts he still met the men who were 
prominent in social and political life. Of his own 
literary friends of former days, however, few now re- 
mained, and consequently London's intellectual life was 
far less brilliant and attractive. Queen Caroline con- 
tinued to hold her receptions, and on its appearance 
* Alciphron ' was ' the discourse of the court.' The 
intimate relations between Berkeley and the family of 
Percival at this time are seen in the selection of the 
Dean to perform the marriage ceremony of Katherine 
Percival to Mr Hanmer, which occurred (14th April, 
1733) at Spring Garden Chapel. 

While Berkeley was living in London, the Deanery 
of Down, worth ^200 a year more than that of Derry, 
became vacant, and Percival made efforts to secure it 
for him. Berkeley wanted it in order to repair his 
depleted fortune, and to have as a mark of His 
Majesty's favour in going into Ireland. Owing largely 
to the unfriendly representations made by Archbishop 
Hoadly of Dublin to the Duke of Dorset, the Lord 
Lieutenant, concerning Berkeley, the appointment fell 
to Richard Daniel, of whom Percival appears to have 
had a very poor opinion. When Percival soon after 
met the Bishop of Salisbury, brother of the Archbishop, 
at King's Chapel, we find him taking occasion during 
the lessons to remark to the Bishop upon the wretched 
usage of ' one of the worthiest, most learned, and most 
unexceptionable men in the three kingdoms.' Edmund 
Gibson (1669 — 1748), the Bishop of London, and one 
of the most learned of contemporary divines at this 
period (15th March, 1732) first suggests to Percival 
that Berkeley might be made a Bishop of Ireland, if 
he were to proceed hither. Percival, however, desired 
absolute assurance of it before the Dean should go 



5° 



BERKELEY AND PERCIVAL 



over. During the year 1733 Berkeley had the pleasure 
of congratulating Percival on the honour of becoming 
Earl of Egmont. On the 17th of January, 1734, the 
new Earl was able to reciprocate with felicitations, 
inasmuch as the Dean acquainted him that he had 
that morning kissed the King's and Queen's hands for 
the Bishopric of Cloyne. 

After an absence of twenty years (1713 — 1733) 
from Ireland, save for short visits, Berkeley now 
returned to take up a continued residence of eighteen 
years (1734 — 1752) in his diocese of Cloyne. Here, 
amid attractive surroundings, he led a quiet, meditative 
life, devoting his energies to his official duties and to 
the welfare of the Irish people. During this period 
few traces of correspondence between Berkeley and 
Percival remain, but the references in Percival's 
'Journal' assure us of their continued friendship. In 
these comparatively uneventful years Berkeley twice 
attracted public attention in the realm of authorship. 
Impressed by the sad social condition of Ireland, his 
thoughts of relief for the country were presented in 
a series of discriminating questions, entitled ' The 
Querist.' The first number of it appeared in 1735 ; 
the second, through the agency of Percival, in 1736; 
and the third in 1737. In his queries he sought chiefly 
to enforce lessons of self-reliance as the fundamental 
remedy for the economic ills of the Irish people. 
Although lacking in systematic development ' The 
Querist' contained much sound wisdom. Berkeley's 
other publication, which was given to the world in the 
spring of 1 744, was entitled ' A chain of philosophical 
reflexions and enquiries concerning the virtues of 
tar-water, and divers other subjects connected together 
and arising from one another.' In the second edition, 
which appeared in the same year, the work was called 
* Siris,' etc. It was a period of much disease in Ireland 
and Berkeley believed that in tar-water an efficacious 
remedy had been found, having doubtless observed 
the healing properties of tar as used among the 



A BIOGRAPHICAL COMMENTARY 51 

American Indians. Three editions of 'Siris' appeared 
in 1744, and there were others in 1746 and 1748, 
Translations of the work were made within a few 
years into German, French, Low Dutch and Portuguese. 
The use of tar-water as a panacea for the various 
physical ills to which flesh is heir had spread all over 
Europe. The work, however, was much more than 
a purely medical propaganda. Tar- water as a universal 
restorative suggested to Berkeley the immediate de- 
pendence of all in nature upon an omnipresent mind. 
The treatise thus presented a return to the idealism 
alike of Plato and of Plotinus. It was mystical in tone 
and full of moral elevation. His own original idealism 
found here its mature and final expression. The 
treatise proved to be the last words of Berkeley in 
philosophy. 

Throughout these years spent by Berkeley at 
Cloyne there was the same charm of domestic life, 
which pervaded his home at Whitehall. To the home 
education of his three sons, Henry born in Newport, 
William in London, and George in Cloyne, he gave 
much attention, since he desired not to trust them to 
' mercenary hands.' Paternal tenderness was a con- 
spicuous trait in Berkeley's character. Of his daughter 
Julia, born in October, 1738, he writes to Johnson, 
' But such a daughter, so bright, a little gem.' The 
death of his favourite son William in 1751 was thought 
'to have struck close to his father's heart.' He writes 
thus of it : 'I was a man relieved from the amusement 
of politics, visits, and what the world calls pleasure. I 
had a little friend educated always under my own eye, 
whose painting delighted me, whose music ravished 
me, and whose lovely gay spirit was a continual feast. 
It has pleased God to take him hence.' A year later 
(1752) Berkeley ends his sojourn at Cloyne. 

The last reference by the Earl of Egmont in his 
' Journal ' to the Bishop of Cloyne was made on the 
28th of December, 1746, when he mentions having 
received the mortgage of the lands which Berkeley 

4—2 



52 BERKELEY AND PERCIVAL 

had held in security for a loan made to him in 1733 of 
^3000 Irish money. On the ist of May, 1748, the 
Earl died in London and was buried at Erwarton in 
Suffolk. The independence of the man in political 
life is evident in his refusal as he relates at any time 
to see the King's speech before it was read in parlia- 
ment, since to vote against anything that happened to 
be recommended in it would be disapproved ' after 
having appeared among a number of gentlemen who 
were resolved to approve all.' His interest in public 
affairs was best shown by his activity in the colonisation 
of Georgia. For many years he spared neither time 
nor effort to advance the interests of this colony, and 
published several treatises in behalf of its settlement. 
If he had so desired he might have had still greater 
preferment, as three times, it is said, he refused the 
offer of I an English peerage. At a time when it 
was difficult to do so in exalted stations he pre- 
served inviolate high principles of honour and inde- 
pendence. 

Bishop Berkeley outlived the Earl of Egmont only 
a few years. As early as 1 746 he wrote to his lifelong 
friend Thomas Prior that he was bent on retiring to 
Oxford, anticipating thereby more enjoyment than 
could be afforded by any high station. He petitioned 
the King that he might be allowed to resign his see. 
The King replied, that he might live where he pleased, 
but he should die a bishop. This dream of academic 
retirement, doubtless occasioned by Berkeley's early 
visit to the English university city, he did not find 
possible of fulfilment until August, 1752. In that 
month he looked on Cloyne for the last time, and 
carried much of the way in a litter, owing to weakness, 
journeyed to Oxford. Here settled in a pleasant 
home, and with at first improved health he was able in 
October to reprint under the title of * Miscellany ' 
several of his tracts. But this ideal life, which he had 
so long desired, was of short duration. On the 14th 
of January, 1753, surrounded by his family and listening 



A BIOGRAPHICAL COMMENTARY 53 

to the reading by his wife of St Paul's sublime discourse 
on the resurrection from the fifteenth chapter of first 
Corinthians, without previous warning and without pain, 
Berkeley passed away. Thus departed from the world 
a man of unrivalled charm of personality, one of the 
most admirable writers in the history of English 
literature, and likewise one of the most distinguished 
of all English philosophers. 




Sir John Percival 



THE CORRESPONDENCE 

OF 

GEORGE BERKELEY 

AND 
SIR JOHN PERCIVAL 



THE CORRESPONDENCE 

OF 

BERKELEY AND PERCIVAL 

Berkeley^ to Percival. 

Trinity College, Dublin, zznd Sept. 1709. 

Dear Sir, 

I am sorry to hear from Dan Dering^ that 
you have lost your statues, medals, &c. that you had 
coming from Italy ; though on second thoughts I 
almost doubt whether it may be reckoned a loss. 
Nobody purchases a cabinet of rarities^ to please 
himself with the continued light of them, nothing in 
it being of any farther use to the owner than as it 
entertains his friends ; but I question if your neigh- 
bours in the county of Cork would relish that sort of 
entertainment. To feed their eyes with the sight of 
rusty medals and antique statues would (if I mistake 
not) seem to them something odd and insipid. The 
finest collection is not worth a groat where there is 
no one to admire and set a value on it, and our 
country seems to me the place in the world which 
is least furnished with virtuosi. 

^ Mr George Berkeley, now Bishop of Cloyne, 1736. P. [Marginal 
note in Percival's ' Letter-book.'] 

2 Dan Dering, son to Col. Daniel Dering, my brothers's brother, and 
to my aunt Helena Dering, my father's sister. King George made him 
commissioner of the wine license at his coming to the crown, and in 1719 
he married Mrs Mary Parker, my wife's sister, by whom he left an only 
daughter Catherine to my care. He died. And item of the Prince of 
Wales, of the stone, 13th Sept. 1730, and was followed by his wife the 
Jan'y after. P. 

^ My collection list which I made when abroad. P. 



58 BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 

I have Sir, all the engagements in the world to 
think myself concerned in anything that in my appre- 
hension may promote your interest. This it is that 
makes me pretend to advise you, how ill soever that 
office may become me. There is a person whose 
acquaintance and conversation I do earnestly recom- 
mend unto you as a thing of the greatest advantage : 
you will be surprised when I tell you it is yourself 
Believe me, I am convinced there is nothing else 
wanting to complete your happiness, so much as a 
little more satisfaction in your own company, which 
might provoke you to spend regularly and constantly 
two or three hours of the morning in study and re- 
tirement. I do not take upon me to prescribe what 
you shall employ yourself about. I only propose the 
passing two or three hours of the twenty-four in 
private ; and as for the subject of your reading or 
meditation I leave that to your own judgment. I 
have observed in you that you seem to prefer the 
improving ones self by conversation before private 
study. This proceeds either from an over modest 
opinion of your own parts (which fault I know is very 
incident to you) or else from a belief that the latter is 
not so profitable and pleasant as is pretended. For 
my part I am of a different opinion ; and if you will 
shew that regard for my judgment as to follow it in 
these two points, you will both do me a great honour 
and lay a new obligation on me, the most acceptable 
of all other. 

I would not be thought to question your inclination 
for reading. Whoever has the happiness of any degree 
of your acquaintance cannot but know you are con- 
versant in books far above the ordinary rate of 
gentlemen of your rank, but this is what I am earnest 
with you for, viz. a fixt and settled method of study. 
And I press it the more earnestly at this time, because 
if you do not enter upon it before you marry it will be 
less practicable afterwards. Then to begin a habit 
of rising early and retirement may be ill interpreted by 



PERCIVAL TO BERKELEY 59 

your lady, whereas if she knows you were used to it 
before, she can take no umbrage at it. Some there 
be who think the least reflection unbecoming men of 
business and action in the world. This notion may if 
I mistake not be easily impugned by a great number 
both of reasons and examples which I shall omit at 
this time. If you have any tincture of that notion, 
viz. the inconsistency of study with business, I shall 
take it as a favour if you will be pleased to com- 
municate to me in a line or two your sentiments on 
that point, with your reasons for them. In the mean- 
while I must desire you to pardon the long trouble 
I have given you in this letter, and am 

Sir, 

Y^ most hum'^ & affec' Serv^ 

Geo. Berkeley. 



Dear Sir, 



Percival to Berkeley. 

London, bth Oct. 1709. 



I would have acknowledged your kind letter 
sooner, but for a cold and tooth ache, which keeps me 
still to my chamber. It was kind in several respects, 
but chiefly for reminding me how precious time is, and 
for furnishing me with an excuse for early rising 
against the time I marry. It is no improper caution 
to a young man bedded for a constancy to a pretty 
woman, as she shall be who I wed, or my eyes shall 
cheat me. Marriage is a voluntary confinement which 
I desire to make as agreeable as possible, the rather 
because 'tis a confinement for life. I therefore would 
have my roof well pitched and very clean, not one 
that had been lain in before, but fresh, new, and 
fashionable, otherwise the world would say I chose my 



6o PERCIVAL TO BERKELEY 

lodging for cheapness or wanted judgment. So much 
for the walls. As for the furniture I cannot so well 
tell what I would have as what I would not, it being 
easier to say what displeases, than what one likes, 
besides we are more constant in our aversions than 
our pleasures. I would have no Latin sentences 
embroidered on my hanging like the narrow closets of 
great ladies who affect to be esteemed learned, neither 
should I like it to be of a changeable colour, for fear 
sometimes I should not know my room, nor should I 
desire it finely flowered, or wrought with smart repar- 
tees, but plain, even, and of one colour. I would have 
no pictures that should ruffle my mind with the ideas 
of storms and tempests, thunder or showers of rain, 
nor any representation of battles, civil wars, or domestic 
strifes, no Socrates and his wife, no Hooker turning 
the spit while his wife corrects him with her ladle, 
nor anything suggesting resistance to the higher 
powers ; but Portia swallowing live coals on Brutus's 
flight, Cetus and Arie, Sibylla wife of Robert Duke of 
Normandy, and such instances of conjugal affection. 
Nudities I banish for the story you told me of Lesley. 
In short, I must not have a thought of lewdness, 
foppery, affectation, or anything defective in my 
furniture, which so abounds in almost all the rooms 
I see. And so I leave this subject, only I must return 
to the walls and tell you they shall not be plastered 
and painted as is everywhere the fashion in France, 
and begins to be so in England, nor must (but here all 
allegory fails me) my wife be red haired. When I 
have found a room to my mind, you may expect to 
hear I keep much at home. 

As to the employment of my time, I am resolved 
not to be altogether idle, but as well as I can inform 
myself of our Constitution, no study being so proper 
for a gentleman to know as the measure of his 
obedience, and the length of their power who rule, 
which subject of government leads me to acquaint 
you, that very lately there is published a small octavo 



BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 6i 

by one Higden, a non-juror, but now convinced of his 
error. It has the reputation of being well put together, 
and to have wrought good effects on many of that 
party. The argument is, that oaths ought to be taken 
to kings de facto as readily as if they reigned de jure, 
which he proves not only from reason, but shews it to 
be the spirit of our Constitution from common and 
statute law, the rolls of parliament, and the opinions 
of many eminent judges. Lastly he proves this 
doctrine to be consistent with the opinion of our 
Church, with Scripture and the practice of the Jews, 
and ancient Christians. If this book has fallen in 
your way, you will oblige me with your sentiments of 
it. The title is "A View of the English Constitu- 
tion " &c. 

I am 

Yr affec' & hum^'^ Serv', 

J. Percival. 



Berkeley to Percival. 

Trinity College, Dublin, i\st Oct. 1709. 



Dear Sir, 



I return you my hearty thanks for the favour 
you did me, in putting me on the perusal of a book, 
which is (L think) written with great solidity, and 
which I had not seen before. Mr Higden has in my 
mind clearly shewn that the swearing allegiance to the 
king de facto (whether right or wrong) is conformable 
as well to the laws of the land as to Scripture and 
reason, and the practice of nations. That it is agree- 
able to reason is so evident from the very nature and 

^ Mr Geo. Berkeley now Bishop of Cloyne, 1736, and his opinion of 
Mr Higden's view of the Constitution. P. 



62 BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 

design of government, as one may justly wonder it 
was ever made a question, and particularly what 
Mr Higden relates to have passed in Henry the 
Seventh's reign, viz. the acknowledging the laws passed 
by Richard the Third, the methods used in reversing 
his acts of attainder, and the statute made for the 
future security of all that should adhere to the king 
de facto, which he shews not to have been repeated 
since ; all this I say demonstrates it to suit with our 
Constitution. Besides what he says of ancient custom, 
viz. that during the reigns of thirteen kings who came 
to the throne without hereditary titles, he does not 
know of any non-jurors, makes it seem surprising that 
those men should start up in our days. The reason I 
take to be that men having felt not long before the 
great mischief there was in forsaking the king, they 
now (as is usual to go from one extreme to another) 
thought they could not adhere too closely to his person, 
even when he was divested of all government, and 
utterly unable to protect them. For my part, when I 
consider what the difference is between a king de jure 
and a king de facto I cannot easily find it. As for the 
right of inheritance, to me it seems a kingdom is not 
a property, but a charge ; it is not therefore necessary 
that it go by the same rule as an estate or goods and 
chattels. But grant it be the property of a single 
person, and that the crown of right descend by inheri- 
tance, yet sure it is that no person who inherits can 
have by inheritance a better title to the thing in- 
herited, than he had to whom he succeeds as heir. 
Now do but trace the present Royal line and you 
will end in William the Conquerour, who by conquest 
had the same title to the crown that a highwayman 
has to your purse. So that after all, we are forced to 
place the right of kings in the consent and acqui- 
escence of the people : whence it follows, that whoever 
has the crown in possession, and the people or their 
representatives, i.e. Lords and Commons concurring 
with him, the same is rightful king. If therefore 



BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 63 

Cromwell had taken the title of king, and got it con- 
firmed to his posterity in a free Parliament, and they 
remained in possession of it, and the laws ran in 
their usual channel down to this time, it should seem 
to be wickedness in anyone to attempt to disturb the 
public peace, by introducing the family of the Stewarts. 
Because you desire my sentiments I speak freely what 
comes uppermost in my thoughts. 

But to return to our author, two things there are 
that I scruple in his book : the first, is his retaining 
the distinction of kings de jure and kings de facto 
without giving any mark whereby we shall know the 
one from the other. I would ask him for example, 
how upon his principles it is possible to distinguish 
between the posterity of the usurper Cromwell (in case 
they had obtained and continued on the throne) and 
the posterity of the Conquerour, which is but a more 
specious name for an usurper. In the two first 
chapters he proves the legislative authority of the 
king for the time being and his two Houses of Parlia- 
ment, to be acknowledged both by the common and 
statute law ; and at the latter end of the sixth chapter 
he expressly says the right of the crown is under the 
direction of the legislative authority, i.e. of the king 
de facto and his Parliament. Whence it plainly follows 
that every king de facto is king de jure, and so the 
distinction becomes useless. The second thing I can- 
not approve of in Mr Higden is, that he seems to be 
against all resistance whatsoever to the king de facto 
as is evident from chapter seven. Now by this it 
appears his principles do not favour the late Revo- 
lution, though indeed he is now for submission to the 
government established. 

By this time I may reasonably suppose you are 
well nigh tired. I must nevertheless ask leave to add 
that nothing in my mind can be more becoming a 
gentleman and man of sense, than the resolution you 
are taking to know the measure of your obedience, 
and the bounds of their power who rule. As to the 



64 BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 

latter, I believe you may find some satisfaction in the 
last part of Mr Locke's 'Treatise on Government,' 
if you have not yet perused that piece. And with 
relation to the former, there is a dialogue of Plato's 
entitled 'Crito,' wherein it is debated how far we are 
bound to the observance of the laws of our country, 
of which I would gladly know your opinion. It con- 
tains only about five or six leaves in 8° in the 2^ vol. 
of Plato's works translated into English from the 
French of Mr Dacier. I believe Mr Gierke^ has the 
book. 

You are undoubtedly wise in resolving to have 
a beautiful lady. I wish she may be healthy too, that 
so you may be the father of a hardy race, for ever free 
from colds and toothaches. 

Dr Lambert" has lately published a defence of his 
letter. It has the character of being smooth and 
trifling. The same person is said to have offended 
Mr Tennison's friends, because in his funeral sermon 
he charged him with ignorance in being against the 
money bill. 

I shall not add that the throwing away half an hour 
now and then on a correspondence with me is the 
greatest addition imaginable to the obligations you 
have already laid on. 

Dear Sir, 

Y' most hum'^ & affect. Serv', 

Geo. Berkeley. 



[^ Apparently an intimate friend of Percival.] 

- Dr Ralf Lambert, afterwards Dean of Down, and afterwards made 
Bishop of Dromore, Ann. 1717. In 1727 made Bishop of Meath. He 
died in 1732. P. 



PERCIVAL TO BERKELEY 65 

Percival to Berkeley. 

London, 29//% Nov^r. 1709. 

I was extremely entertained with reading 
that excellent discourse of Socrates before his death, 
which you recommended to me, and I agree readily 
with the Prefacer that in our days we should hardly 
find an instance of the like kind, and yet I remember 
to have read of some of the regicides that judged 
King Charles to death though they well foresaw what 
was coming upon them, and had fair opportunity to 
escape, refused to stir, reputing it no less than a 
desertion of God and their country, to refuse laying 
down their lives in justification of the good old cause. 
But this was the force of enthusiasm which ever works 
strongest in the weakest minds, and when judgment is 
wanting hurries men often on to mistake vice for virtue 
and overact themselves. He is truly praiseworthy 
who can submit to evils after a wise and sober exami- 
nation, when the passions are calm and undisturbed, 
as he is bravest that will resent an injury in cold 
blood. This Socrates did, and though it was common 
in those ages and in the beginning of Christianity for 
men to suffer for their opinions, yet there is something 
particular in his case which I think entitles him more 
to our admiration than any other. In most instances 
that history gives us of this sort of magnanimity, we 
may observe ambition, vanity, despair, or such like 
failings to have been a great incitement to if not the 
foundation of the action. Empedocles would be 
thought a god, and threw himself into Etna, and 
Curtius leaped into the chasm, to have a year's enjoy- 
ment of the fairest women, which is no such strange 
thing for a heathen to do, when even Christians 
who are better convinced of a future state are seen to 



66 PERCIVAL TO BERKELEY 

make themselves away often because disappointed of a 
single woman. Then if you come down to the first 
Christians who suffered in such numbers, we shall less 
wonder at their resolution when we consider how near 
they lived to the Apostles, whose example being fresh, 
must have had great influence, besides the assurance 
they had of immortality, and being for the very sake 
of suffering promised happiness hereafter, but above 
all when God was so favourable to many of them as (if 
we may believe the writers) to permit they should feel 
no pain when under the most violent execution. 
You will own it was no difficult matter then to be 
a martyr. Lastly many have suffered for religion who 
would have changed to save their lives. We know 
that Cranmer recanted that he might not suffer, yet 
the law proceeded against him, so he was forced to 
death. When changing will do no good a man is 
a martyr in spite of his teeth, which surely is not very 
meritorious, though 'tis commendable to die in the 
faith we always professed. 

But whoever considers the circumstances of 
Socrates as no doubt you have done, will find the 
greatest temptations before him to live that could be, 
and few inducements to the contrary. He will find 
that he consented to die merely for the good of others, 
even of those who wrongfully put him to death, so that 
he had a double aim in dying, the justifying truth, and 
preserving the laws of his country inviolable. A 
martyr dies for the good of his soul, Socrates of his 
soul and country too, and yet the greatest assurances 
his philosophy could give him of a future state were 
not comparable to the clear evidence revelation after- 
wards brought us, neither could Athens have been 
much hurt if so good a man had withdrawn himself 
from suffering under an unjust judgment ; but Socrates 
adored truth and justice so much, that he would not 
give a pretence to any that were to come after for dis- 
obedience to the laws they once had owned, and in 
dying had no private aim, no vanity to satisfy, but 



PERCIVAL TO BERKELEY 67 

showed that the best use we can make of Hfe is to part 
with it in defence of truth. 

If you remember when in DubHn I discoursed you 
about Mr Whiston, who writ an explication of several 
Scripture prophecies. He is now in great danger of 
losing a small living (which is all he has to subsist 
a large family with) for declaring publicly and in print 
that adoration or prayer Is not due to God the Son, 
nor Holy Ghost. He owns that the Scriptures apply 
the divinity to them, but he says 'tis none of our 
business to draw consequences, and afterward make 
prayers, where not peremptorily enjoined, and example 
in Scripture is wanting. But really I think he is 
mistaken very much ; for in my reading the New 
Testament, I thought nothing plainer than that our 
Saviour was prayed to, and he, without whom nothing 
was made that was made, he that is in the Father and 
the Father in him, he that when you see him you see 
the Father too, he that declared I and the Father are 
one, he that could forgive sins, in short he that hath 
these powers and attributes given him in Scripture has 
a title to our prayers and adoration. Mr Whiston 
therefore is absent always upon Litany days which 
he leaves to his curate, and some other passages he 
leaves out in our common prayer, for which he is 
threatened very hard ; but he despises the worst they 
can do him, and says they cannot hurt him, though 
they may the body ; thus he speaks like a philosopher, 
but like an enthusiast too. When they tell him his 
wife and children will starve he is not moved at all, 
but says God will help them. He is very positive and 
warm ; I do not know whether he is within the act 
N & M that makes it punishable to deny the godhead 
of our Saviour, for as I told you before he owns what- 
ever the text says of him, but either explains it 
differently or rejects the consequences we draw. 

I have tired you and will therefore conclude, &c., 

Percival. 



68 BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 



Berkeley to Percival. 

Trinty Coll., Dec. 27 tk^ 1709. 

I was glad to find the small piece I recommended 
to your perusal entertained you so well. I did 
indeed believe that anything of that excellent philo- 
sopher\ whose divine sentiments are preserved to 
us by Plato and Xenophon, could not fail of being 
aofreeable to a man of sense and virtue. Your re- 
flections on Socrates' behaviour gave me a great deal 
of pleasure, though not without some concern, in 
making me more sensible of the loss I sustain in 
being deprived of the conversation of one who has 
a taste of those things which (though formerly the 
chiefest heads of discourse among the politer heathen) 
are now almost grown out of fashion, and banished 
the conversation of well bred Christians, Socrates 
spent his time in reasoning on the most noble and 
important subjects, the nature of the gods, the dignity 
and duration of the soul, and the duties of a rational 
creature. He was always exposing the vanity of 
Sophists, painting vice and virtue in their proper 
colours, deliberating on the public good, enflaming 
the most noble and ungenerous tempers with the love 
of great actions. In short his whole employment was 
the turning men aside from vice, impertinence, and 
trifling speculations to the study of solid wisdom, 
temperance, justice, and piety, which is the true 
business of a philosopher. And this great man died 
as he lived ; he went out of the world with the same 
indifference that a man rises from an ill play. He 
spent his last minutes in his usual exercise. In the 
morning of the last day of his life, you know he made 
that excellent discourse concerning the obligation that 
men have to obey the laws of their country, and Plato's 
dialogue entitled ' Phaedon ' contains an account of 

^ Dr Geo. Berkeley to me. Reflections on Socrates. P. 



BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 69 

his discourse and behaviour during the rest of the day 
wherein he drank the poison prepared him by the 
executioner. It is now some years since I read this 
dialogue, but I remember it entertained me very agree- 
ably, as I believe it will you if you can find leisure to 
peruse it. It is in the same volume with 'Crito,' 
and it would be a great favour to let me know your 
opinion of it. I must own it looks something im- 
pertinent to be still troubling you with one amusement 
or other ; but when I call to mind how unmercifully 
you suffered me to devour your time when here, I 
flatter myself that I have a sort of right to the dis- 
posal of some few of your minutes even at this distance. 
But here is a particular reason why I could wish you 
would give yourself the trouble of looking over the 
' Phaedon ' ; for (besides that you will there find the 
thoughts of the wisest heathen on that subject which 
the most deserves our consideration, I mean the im- 
mortality of the soul) Socrates does therein explain his 
opinion of self-murder, which is a point I remember to 
have heard you discourse on more than once, and you 
appeared something fond of discussing it. But if you 
need any motive to peruse a discourse of Socrates, I 
know none more apposite than the authority of Squire 
Bickerstaff, a man I think of excellent sense and whom 
you may have observed on all occasions to express a 
very high esteem of that philosopher. For my own 
part, so far as I can judge by what notions of his 
I have seen, I cannot forbear thinking him the best 
and most admirable man that the heathen world 
produced. 

It was with great concern I read that part of your 
letter which relates to Mr Whiston. He has been (as 
appears by his writings) a man of great industry and 
parts ; but I must own myself very much surprised to 
find him espouse such an odd paradox, as adoration 
and prayer are not due to the Son and Holy Ghost, 
though he acknowledges their divinity. You tell me 
he says 'tis none of our business to draw consequences 



70 BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 

from Scripture, whereas in my opinion several parts of 
Scripture would be of little or no use, if we were 
not allowed to apply them and draw consequences 
from them. Whatever has an evident connexion with 
any part of revelation seems to me equally binding 
with it, otherwise all use of reason in points of the 
Christian religion must be quite laid aside. I agree 
with you entirely that we have express warrant in 
Scripture for praying to our Saviour ; and if we had 
not, yet it is so clearly deducible from thence as 
sufficiently justifies the conduct of our Church in that 
point. This notion of Mr Whiston's is, I believe, of 
a new sort, for the Socinians allow our Saviour may 
be prayed to, though according to them he is not God. 
But though I look on this thought of Mr Whiston's as 
an error in point of judgment, yet I must confess the 
account you gave me of it, noways lessened but rather 
increased my opinion of the man ; inasmuch as it is 
easier to find those who conform in the externals of 
worship and agree to the tenets of our Church, than 
to meet with one that has attained in so eminent a 
degree, that great perfection and badge of Christianity, 
the generous contempt of the things of this life, which 
as it is the most severe and least practised duty of our 
religion, so it is the surest mark of a true Christian, 
being the very root of all the heroical virtues recom- 
mended in the gospel. 

The large family of Mr Whiston which you mention 
(for before I did not know he was married) are indeed 
to be pitied, but as for Mr Whiston himself I do not 
think him any object of pity on account of the temporal 
misfortunes he is threatened with. There is a secret 
pleasure in suffering for conscience sake, which I doubt 
not is sufficient to overbalance whatever calamities may 
be inflicted on him on that score. 

This obscure corner of the world furnishes no 
occurrences worth your notice. All things are in a 
dull state of mediocrity. Only the other day there 
came out a pamphlet in answer to Mr Stoughton's 



BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 71 

sermon. It was written by a young clergyman of my 
acquaintance that was formerly a member of our college. 
The thing seems to me to have some sense and 
pleasantry in it. You have here enclosed part of it 
and the remaining part I defer sending till next post. 

I am, 

Y" affec' humble Serv', 

G. Berkeley. 



Berkeley to Percival. 

Trin. Coll., March \^t, 1709/10. 



D^ s^ 



I take this opportunity of Mr Molyneux's 
departure to give you the trouble of a letter, though 
I must own this corner furnishes scarce any that 
deserves to be communicated. We are a nation as 
it were in its nonage, put under the guardianship of 
a people who do everything for us, and leave us the 
liberty of transacting nothing material ourselves or 
having any part in the affairs of Europe, yet for all 
that we are not free from faction and discord any more 
than our neighbours. The feast at the TholseP on the 
Queen's Birthday has occasioned much talk in this 
city and given offence to many on account of certain 
w[h]iggish healths which was there proposed, one 
whereof I am informed was the bringing in of 
Presbytery, and another that Dr Sachervell and his 
friends may meet with Greg's fate. The said D"" is 
entirely the subject of discourse, and everyone is 

^ [A city hall and exchange with banquet room.] 



72 BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 

engaged either for or against him. His sermon has 
been printed here, as well as some pamphlets of our 
own growth against it. I send you one which is 
thought to come from Mr Daniel a famous whigg- 
clergyman and pretender to poetry in this town. I 
would not have you think by my sending it that I set 
any great value on it, for it seems to me writ with 
an affectation of more wit than in truth it has. The 
controversy occasioned by Mr Boyle's sermon against 
episcopacy is not yet ended. I hear he has a large 
volume of above three-score sheets ready for the press. 
Archdeacon Percival's^ answer to Dr Lambert is like- 
wise suddenly expected. I know not whether my 
last came to your hands, it was directed under cover to 
Mr Southwell and enclosed a piece of controversy 
with Mr Stoughton on the subject of his sermon. 
Sir Richard Bulkeley and one Whitterow an imposter 
whom he brought over along with him are lately gone 
from hence. They distributed a great deal of money 
and victuals to the poor while they were here, and set 
a stranger free who had been arrested for forty pounds 
which sum they paid. In short Sir Richard was 
resolved to sell his estate and give all to the poor. 
But I am told the Chancery opposed him as non compos. 
Whitterow is said to have run away with a young 
woman. Some clergymen would fain have discoursed 
him on his mission but he carefully avoided it. 

The bookseller who printed the 'Essay on Vision,' 
imagining he had printed too few, retarded the publi- 
cation of it on that side the water till he had finished 
this second edition whereof be pleased to accept one 
which I have sent you by Mr Molyneux. I have 
made some alterations and additions in the body of 
the Treatise, and in an appendix have endeavoured 
to answer the objections of the Archbishop of Dublin. 
There still remains one objection with regard to the 
uselessness of that book : but in a little time I hope 

^ Cousin Wm. Percival, an archdeacon, son of George Percival, my 
great uncle. P. 



BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL ^z 

to make what is there laid down appear subservient 
to the ends of morahty and religion in a treatise 
I have now in the press, the design of which is to 
demonstrate the existence and attributes of God, the 
immortality of the soul, the reconciliation of God's 
foreknowledge with freedom of men, and by shewing 
the emptiness and falseness of several parts of the 
speculative sciences, to reduce men to the study of 
religion and things useful. How far my endeavour 
will prove successful, and whether I have been all 
this time in a dream or no, time will manifest. 

Pray if Mr Clarke be alive give my humble service 
to him. I am in pain for him having not heard from 
him this long time. I met with some who supporting 
themselves on the authority of the Archbishop of 
Dublin's^ sermon concerning the prescience of God, 
denied there was any more wisdom, goodness or 
understanding in God than there were feet or hands, 
but that all are to be taken in a figurative sense ; 
whereupon I consulted the sermon and to my surprise 
found his Grace asserting that strange doctrine. 'Tis 
true he holds there is something in the divine nature 
analogous or equivalent to those attributes. But upon 
such principles I must confess I do not see how it is 
possible to demonstrate the being of God : there being 
no argument that I know of for his existence, which 
does not prove him at the same time to be an under- 
standing, wise and benevolent Being, in the strict, 
literal, and proper meaning of those words. About 
the same time I wrote to Mr Clarke^ and desired he 
would favour me with his thoughts on the subject of 
God's existence, and the proofs he thought most con- 
clusive of it, which I imagined would prove a grateful 
entertainment while his sore eyes prevented his 
reading. But never since have I heard one word 
from him, either on that or any other subject. I am 
often inquired of about his character, and I would f;^in 

1 [William King (1650 — 1729), the author oi De origine malt, 1702.] 
^ [Samuel Clarke (Gierke), supra, pp. 8 — 10.] 



74 PERCIVAL TO BERKELEY 

add the love of letters and study to the rest of his 
good qualities. 

All friends here are well. The other night Arch- 
deacon Percival, Dan Bering and myself were drinking 
your and Dr Sachervell's healths at your brother's. 

I am 

Y"" mos' obliged 

humble Serv', 

G. Berkeley. 

P.S. 

This was to have gone by Mr Molyneux who, 
sometime since, was in full haste setting about his 
journey to the Congress, but now finding he is not 
likely to continue his resolution I chose rather to 
resume the letter out of his hands and send it by post 
than that you should escape the trouble of reading it, 
which trespass I depend upon your good nature to 
forgive. My Lady Roydon is just giving up the 
ghost, her goods are all seized and the bailiffs lodging 
in her house won't suffer her to die in peace. 



Percival to Berkeley, 

London, lo^h April, 17 lo. 



D-^ s^ 



I act the most inconsistently in the world 
in not answering your letters, for nothing gives me 
a greater pleasure than to hear from you, and yet 
I risk that happiness by my silence. I could wish 
you would think I have had a great deal of business 
on my hands that prevented me, but I won't categori- 
cally affirm it, for fear you should think it no more 



PERCIVAL TO BERKELEY 75 

than that tame and commonplace excuse. I find 
Dr Sacheverell has his partizans in DubHn as well as 
here, and see you are something altered from your 
former notion of the two parties, which indeed I did 
expect for I knew you such a lover of truth that 
you could not bear the wresting of men's words by 
inuendoes and forced constructions to different senses. 
We have people here that will not be convinced by 
any protestations the Dr could make that he was not 
designedly guilty of the crimes laid to his charge, and 
for my own part his reflecting on the ministry I think 
was as plain as the sun, which he does not deny in 
his speech. This was no doubt a crime that ought to 
be followed by some punishment, but as for the others 
laid to his charge indeed I am not able to discern them 
in his sermons. 

It must needs grieve to the heart all good men 
who love their country and have nothing to get by 
changes at court to see the divisions now amongst us. 
For my share I look upon the differences between 
whig and tory to proceed only from a desire of the one 
to keep in and the other to get into employment. 
This their ambition, avarice, and personal pique being 
but ill inducement for to obtain followers, one party 
pretends we are in danger of anarchy or presbytery, 
and the other of tyranny and popery, all which is only 
to beguile the multitude and support their interests. 
I cannot think that the Whigs (on one hand) who are 
most of them of the Church of England and have good 
fortunes and know the excellency of our constitution 
can have in view the destruction of it, though they 
enforce their party by the junction of dissenters and 
commonwealth men ; nor can I on the other hand 
believe that the Torys are not entirely satisfied with 
a limited monarchy and the succession as established 
by law, for the bulk of them are true professors of the 
Church of England, and very distant from popery, 
though Papists and Jacobites enrol under that name. 
The mighty feuds do therefore rise in my opinion from 



76 PERCIVAL TO BERKELEY 

desire of places, which begets personal hatred, and 
that slander and defamation, after which follows 
jealousy, distaste and fears, which being for matters 
of importance, namely the conservation of liberty, 
constitution, and the established religion, no wonder 
if well meaning men rank themselves on each side 
according as the different parties can make impres- 
sion on them and so become zealous tools to the aims 
of the cunning few. But though I cannot believe 
either party desires the destruction of the constitution 
yet I do not pretend to say that an ill man will not in 
single instances, for the preservation of his place and 
bettering his fortune, sometimes venture to act too 
boldly and rashly, so as to give the opposite party 
(who will be sure to watch his behaviour) a pretence 
to cry out against him as if he intended certainly to 
overturn every thing, but this being the fault of a 
depraved mind, it may be common to both parties, in 
either of which it must be owned there are too many 
men of corrupt and wicked lives, and therefore we are 
not immediately to be in agonies for our constitution 
and think of shifting hands immediately, for worse 
men may come in their places. In this case therefore 
an honest man that has a share in the legislature ought 
to know the limits which belong to each part thereof, 
and never transgress them on any account. He ought 
to serve the king to his utmost as far as the interest of 
his country and the law of the land give leave, and act 
with either party as he finds them agree to his own 
opinions. For this reason he must be free from two 
passions, fear and avarice ; from fear because he will 
be sure to be called a trimmer, and that by the art 
of party men is grown a scandalous name though 
naturally a commendable one ; and from avarice be- 
cause he must expect to get no thanks nor reward for 
preferring his duty and conscience to the service of 
those in power. 'Tis no argument against this that so 
few men will be found thus staunch, that instead of 
doing service to his country such a man incapacitates 



BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL ^j 

himself from it by having no followers ; for it is not 
natural that good should come of evil, and the tide 
of party carries men often into a whirlpool when once 
they lose their anchor, and then how miserable it is 
when good men who should at such times stand firm 
to rectify things are carried together with the rest into 
errors and evil actions. 

I am 

&c., 

Percival. 

Berkeley to Percival. 

Trin. Coll., June 2gi^, 1710. 

Suffer me to interrupt your joys by a short 
congratulation. I am heartily glad to find you are 
married to a lady who, by all the accounts I can hear, 
is just such a one as (had it been at my choice) I 
should have chosen to be your wife. The first lines 
of your letter to your brother persuade me that I can- 
not make you a more agreeable wish than that you 
and my Lady Percival may spend together a long life 
in pleasure equal to that you have enjoyed this week 
past, that as the fury of love abates, the sweetness and 
tenderness of conjugal affection may increase, together 
with that unknown delight which springs up in the 
soul of a parent from the thought of a happy and well 
educated offspring. 

This Sir is the hearty prayer of 

Y"" most humble 

and obliged Serv', 

Geo. Berkeley. 

P.S. 

How unmannerly soever it may be to give 
you any trouble at this time, yet my affairs so fall 



78 BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 

out that I cannot possibly avoid it. I have sometime 
since published a book which is dedicated to my 
Lord Pembroke. It is necessary that one of them be 
forthwith presented to his Lordship, and I know not 
one that is capable of doing me that service but your- 
self. The book I have delivered to Mr Conderon 
who has promised me that it shall be left at your 
lodging in London by a gentleman who is going 
thither. By the next opportunity I will send you one 
for yourself ; though I cannot flatter myself you will 
find time to read it. If I ask an absurd or unreason- 
able thing, I beg you will excuse one who has good 
intentions but not the best judge of decorum. 



Berkeley to Pei^cival. 

Trin. Coll., Dub., July 29'"^^ 17 10. 



D-^ s^ 



The readiness you express to serve me in 
my affair with the Lord Pembroke has drawn on you 
the second trouble, viz. that you will do me the favour 
to let me know if the book I sent to be presented 
to him, be not yet come to your hands. Mr Conderon 
gave it one Mr Hoar, a parliament man of this kingdom, 
about a month since, he then went for England and 
promised to take care of it. I have likewise directed 
one to be left at your lodging in Pall- Mall for yourself. 
It goes with some more of the same sort, which my 
bookseller sends to London. From the conversation 
I have had with you on that subject, I flatter myself 
you will not be adverse to the notions contained in it, 
and if when you receive it you can procure me the 
opinion of some of your ingenious acquaintances who 
are thinking men and addicted to the study of rational 
philosophy and mathematics, I shall be extremely 
obliged to you. 



BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 79 

You could not have conferred a more sensible 
obligation on me, than was the favour you did in 
imparting what gave me some idea of the reasonable 
and sweet rapture you taste in your new state. I have 
often heard that men are apt to set the best outside on 
their condition of life, particularly in what relates to 
matrimony ; but there appears such an unaffected air 
of truth and passion in what you say, that it will not 
suffer me to entertain the least doubt of your being in 
earnest. You must give me leave to tell you, you are 
mistaken in that part of your letter, where you 
insinuate it to be your thought that I lie under a 
prejudice (as I am a bachelour) against marriages ; for 
whatever reasons I may have to think that state not 
eligible to one in my own present circumstances, 
humour, and manner of life ; yet I assure you I cannot 
easily imagine a more happy condition than that of 
man and wife, who abide in mutual love and harmony 
of temper. As for what commonly shocks young men, 
the being confined only to one and that for life, I am 
so far from thinking the worse of matrimony on this 
account that on any other conditions I am convinced 
it could never be happy. The impossibility I have 
heard some men say there was in finding a woman 
accomplished in all those perfections that are necessary 
to making a happy husband (and which you have so 
well enumerated in your letter) is what gave me 
greatest prejudice against matrimony. However I 
still thought there was such a one somewhere to be 
found, and I sincerely rejoice with you that you have 
lit on her. Pray give my service to Mr Gierke. 

I am, 

Dr Sr, 

Y"" most affect, and 

most humble Serv', 

Geo. Berkeley. 



8o PERCIVAL TO BERKELEY 

Percival to Berkeley. 

London, 26'''' Aug. 1710. 

Four days ago Col. Percival ^ who came 
from Ireland brought me your book concerning the 
' Principles of Human Knowledge,' which he saw by 
accident on a bookseller's stall in Dublin made up 
and directed for me, and so brought it away, till when 
I had not seen it, for that you designed for my 
Lord Pembroke never came to my hands, however it 
won't come too late for he is yet in the country. 

'Tis incredible what prejudices can work on the 
best geniuses, nay and even on the lovers of novelty, 
for I did but name the subject matter of your book to 
some ingenious friends of mine and they immediately 
treated it with ridicule, at the same time refusing to 
read it, which I have not yet got one to do, and indeed 
I have not yet been able to discourse myself on it 
because I had it so lately, neither when I set about it 
may I be able to understand it thoroughly for want of 
having studied philosophy more. A physician of my 
acquaintance undertook to describe your person, and 
argued you must needs be mad, and that you ought 
to take remedies. A Bishop pitied you that a desire 
and vanity of starting something new should put you 
on such an undertaking, and when I justified you in 
that part of your character, and added the other 
deserving qualities you have, he said he could not 
tell what to think of you. Another told me an in- 
genious man ought not to be discouraged from 
exercising his wit, and said Erasmus was not the 
worse thought of for writing in praise of folly, but that 
you are not gone so far as a gentleman in town who 

^ Cousin Charles Percival, governour of Denea. He was son of 
George, the brother of my grandfather, Sir John Percival. For his 
services he obtained a regiment and was killed in a duel by a French 
officer who expected the post. P. 



BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 8i 

asserts not only that there is no such thing as matter 
but that we have no being at all. My wife, who has 
all the good esteem and opinion of you that is possible 
from your just notions of marriage-happiness, desires 
to know if there be nothing but spirit and ideas, what 
you make of that part of the six days' creation which 
preceded man. 

I have given you a plain account as I believe you 
would have me do what success the name of your book 
has had here, for I can hardly say they know any more 
of it, and shall endeavour to persuade people to read 
it, but by what they have already shewn can scarce 
believe they will do it impartially. 

I am, S% 
Y' affect, friend & hum^'^ Serv', 

J. P. 



Berkeley to Percival. 

Trin. Coll., Sep. 6t^, 1710. 



D^^ s^ 



I am extremely obliged to you for the favour- 
able representation you made of me and my opinions 
to your friends and the account you have given me of 
their judgments thereupon ; and am not at all sur- 
prised to find that the name of my book should be 
entertained with ridicule and contempt by those who 
never examined what was in it, and want that common 
justice of trying before they condemn. But my com- 
fort is that they who have entered deepest into the 
merits of the cause, and employed most time and 
exactness in reading what I have written, speak more 
advantageously of it. If the raillery and scorn of 
those that critique what they will not be at the pains 



82 BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 

to understand had been sufficient to deter men from 
making any attempts towards curing the ignorance 
and errors of mankind, we should have been troubled 
with very few improvements in knowledge. The 
common crys being against any opinion seems to me 
so far from proving it false that it may with as good 
reason pass for an agreement of its truth. However 
I imagine whatever doctrine contradicts vulgar and 
settled opinion had need been introduced with great 
caution into the world. For this reason it was I 
omitted all mention of the non-existence of matter 
in the title-page, dedication, preface, and introduction, 
that so the notion might steal unawares on the reader, 
who possibly would never have meddled with a book 
that he had known contained such paradoxes. If, 
therefore, it shall at any time lie in your way to dis- 
course with your friends on the subject of my book, 
I entreat you not to take notice to them I deny the 
being of matter in it, but only that it is a treatise of 
the ' Principles of Human Knowledge ' designed to 
promote true knowledge and religion, particularly in 
opposition to those philosophers who vent dangerous 
notions with regard to the existence of God and the 
natural immortality of the soul, both which I have 
endeavoured to demonstrate in a way not hitherto 
made use of. 

Two imputations there are which (how unjust 
soever) I apprehended would be charged on me by 
censorious men, and I find it has happened accord- 
ingly. The first, that I was not myself convinced of 
the truth of what I writ, but from a vain affectation 
of novelty designed imposing on the world : — whereas 
there is nothing I esteem more mean and miserable, 
I may add more wicked, than an intention to cheat 
men into a belief of lies and sophisms merely for the 
sake of a little reputation with fools. God is my 
witness that I was, and do still remain, entirely per- 
suaded of the non-existence of matter, and the other 
tenets published along with it. How desirous soever 



BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL Ss 

I may be to be thought well of, yet I hardly think 
that anyone in his wits can be touched with a vanity 
to distinguish himself among wise men for a mad man. 
This methinks should satisfy others of my sincerity at 
least, and that nothing less than a full conviction not 
only of the truth of my notions but also of their 
usefulness in the most important points, could have 
engaged me to make them public. I may add that 
the opinion of matter I have entertained some years ; 
if therefore a motive of vanity could have induced me 
to obtrude falsehoods on the world, I had long since 
done it when the conceit was warm in my imagination, 
and not have staid to examine and revise it both with 
my own judgment and that of my ingenious friends. 
The second imputation I was afraid of is, that men 
rash in their censures, and that never considered my 
book would be apt to confound me with the sceptics, 
who doubt of the existence of sensible things and are 
not positive as to any one truth, no not so much as 
their own being (which I find by your letter is the case 
of some wild visionists now in London), but whoever 
reads my book with due attention will plainly see that 
there is a direct opposition betwixt the principles con- 
tained in it and those of the sceptics, and that I 
question not the existence of anything that we perceive 
by our senses. 

As to your Lady's objection, I am extremely 
honoured by it, and as I shall reckon it a great mis- 
fortune, in case any prejudice against my notions 
should lessen the good thoughts, you say, she is 
pleased to entertain of me, so I am not a little careful 
to satisfy her in point of the creation's consistency 
with the doctrine in my book. In order to which 
I must beg you will inform her Ladyship that I do 
not deny the existence of any of those sensible things 
which Moses says were created by God. They existed 
from all eternity in the Divine intellect, and then 
became perceptible (z.e. were created) in the same 
manner and order as is described in Genesis. For 

6—2 



84 BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 

I take creation to belong to things only as they respect 
finite spirits, there being nothing new to God. 
Hence it follows that the act of creation consists in 
God's willing that those things should be perceptible 
to other spirits, which before were known only to 
Himself. Now both reason and scripture assure us 
there are other spirits (as angels of different orders, &c.) 
besides man, who, 'tis possible might have perceived 
this visible world according as it was successively 
exhibited to their view before man's creation. Besides, 
for to agree with the Mosaic account of the creation it 
is sufficient if we suppose that a man, in case he was 
then created and existing at the time of the chaos, 
might have perceived all things formed out of it in the 
very order set down in Scripture, which is no ways 
repugnant to our principles. I know not whether 
I express myself so clearly as to be understood by 
a lady that has not read my book. Much more I 
might say to her objection, if I had the opportunity 
of discoursing with her, which I am sorry to hear we 
may not expect before next summer. I have a strong 
presumption that I should make a proselyte of her 
Ladyship, or she convince me that I am in error. My 
reason is, because she is the only person of those you 
mentioned my book to, who opposed it with reason 
and argument. 

As for the physician I assure him there are (besides 
several others) two ingenious men of his own profession 
in this town, who are not ashamed to own themselves 
every whit as mad as myself, if their subscribing to the 
notions contained in my book can make them so. I 
may add that the greatest Tory and greatest Whig of 
my acquaintance agree in an entire assent to them, 
though at this time our party men seem more 
enflamed and stand at a wider distance than ever. 

This puts me in mind to tell you a pleasant acci- 
dent that befel me about ten days since. I was just 
come into the coffee-house when a drunken gentleman 
I had never seen before comes up to me and asks me 



BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 85 

whether I would pledge him in Dr Sacheverell's health ; 
to be brief he obliged me whether I would or no to 
drink the Dr's health in a glass of brandy in the 
middle of the coffee-house and when I had done he 
fell on his knees and swore and prayed for the Dr and 
the Church. Then getting up he swore that all the 
coffee-house round should drink the same health, and 
upon a gentleman's refusing it drew his sword, where- 
upon I made what haste I could out of the house. I 
understood afterwards that one or two more were 
obliged to drink it, the one of whom was a Parliament 
man. This occasioned Mr Caulfield to complain of it 
as a breach of privilege next day in Parliament; but 
all the effect his complaint had was that it set the 
whole house a laughing. I am told this involuntary 
act of mine is like to gain me the reputation of being 
a great admirer of Dr Sacheverell's, which is a character 
I am not at all fond of. I like indeed very well the 
events which his preaching may have brought about ; 
for (if I may judge of such things) it seems to me the 
Government had been much too long in the hands of 
a party. But for the sermons or conduct of the Dr, 
I confess I have a very moderate esteem of either. 

The book for my Lord Pembroke is delivered to 
Mr Hoffman, Mr Southwell's gentleman, who will 
give it you as soon as he comes to London. 

I am, 

Yr most humble 

and affec*. Serv^ 

G. Berkeley. 



86 BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 

Berkeley to Percival. 

Trin. Coll. 8^^% 1710. 

I find by the last you favoured me with, that 
there is talk of my Lord Pembroke's being employed 
in the new ministry. I know not whether upon the 
delivery of the book you will think it proper to inti- 
mate to his Lordship that it was printed off (as indeed 
it was) the beginning of May, but that I wanted 
opportunity to present it sooner; by this it will appear 
that I meant to address him in his retirement, and not 
upon any prospect of his returning into favour at 
Court which I could not foresee. You are, I know, too 
public spirited not to have your thoughts and conversa- 
tion taken up with the occurrences of this busy time, 
which makes me that I can scarce tell how to desire 
you should lay out any part of them on the perusal of 
my book. Though I am sure there is no one whose 
free and deliberate opinion I should be more desirous 
of than yours. 

It is the observation of a wise man (Sir Will 
Temple) that solitude and leisure are the greatest 
advantages that riches can give those who possess 
them above all other men ; and yet these are what rich 
men least of all make use of. He that is equally fitted 
for thought and meditation in his closet, or for business 
and conversation in the world is certainly the best able 
to serve his country, and can pass with the greatest 
evenness through all scenes of life. 'Tis thought 
which governs the world, and all the states in it, and 
produces whatever is great and glorious in them. 
Stirring and action is but the handmaid of thought, 
without which the former can do no good, but may 
a great deal of harm. Whatever therefore improves 
the thinking faculty surely ought to be practised. 
Now, thought is to the mind what motion is to the 



PERCIVAL TO BERKELEY 87 

body; both are equally improved by leisure and im- 
paired by disuse. In order therefore to obtain health 
and strength of mind it is useful that we employ our 
thoughts, though it should be even on useless thoughts. 
How much rather ought we then to exercise them on 
the grounds and certainty of knowledge, the being 
and attributes of God, and the nature of our own soul. 
I mean not by this to persuade you that what I have 
written deserves much heed, but only to shew you 
that the subjects I have chosen are worth thinking on. 

I am, S', 

Yr most humble and 

affec*. Serv^ 

Geo. Berkeley. 



Percival to Berkeley. 

London, 30'^ Oct. 17 10. 



D' S--, 



There are here two clergymen who have 
perused your last book, Dr Clarke, and Mr Whiston, 
both deservedly esteemed men of excellent learning, 
though the last is a little different from the orthodox 
in some points, inclining as 'tis said to Arianism. Not 
having any acquaintance with these gentlemen I can 
only report to you by second hand that they think you 
a fair arguer, and a clear writer, but they say your 
first principles you lay down are false. They look on 
you as an extraordinary genius, and profess a value 
for you, but say they wished you had employed your 
thoughts less on metaphysics, ranking you with Father 
Malebranche\ Norris^ and another whose name I have 

1 [Nicolas Malebranche (1638 — 1715), supra, pp. 11, 19 — 20.] 

2 [John Norris (1657 — 171 1), the critic of Locke, supra, p. 11.] 



88 BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 

forgot, all whom they think extraordinary men, but of 
a particular turn, and their labours of little use to man- 
kind for their abstruseness. 

This is what I believe you are armed against as 
foreseeing the objection which possibly may proceed 
merely from a largeness of disposition, not caring to 
think after a new manner which would oblige them to 
begin their studies anew, or else it may be the strength 
of prejudice. For my part I don't design their opinion 
shall prevent my reading this book which though small 
in bulk is great for the matter. I doubt indeed my 
want of philosophy and ignorance of that sort of 
learning will make me less capable of understanding it 
than another. 

My Lord Pembroke is not yet in town, and now 
there is no thought of employing him. I have your 
book by me to give him. 

I am, &c., 

J. Percival. 

Berkeley to Percival. 

Trin. Coll. ^'jt^'- Nov. 1710. 

Your last (which came to hand after having 
been stopped for several posts by contrary winds) 
obliged me with the account that my ' Treatise of the 
Principles,' &c., had been perused by Dr Clarke and 
Mr Whiston. As truth is my aim, there is nothing 
I more desire than being helped forward in the search 
of it, by the concurring studies of thoughtful and 
impartial men : on both which accounts no less than 
for their uncommon learning and penetration those 
gentlemen are very deservedly much esteemed. This 
makes me very solicitous to know particularly what 
fault they find in the principles I proceed upon ; which 
at this time cannot but be of great advantage to me in 



BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 89 

that it will either convince me of an error, and so 
prevent my wasting any more time and pains that way, 
or else it will prove no small confirmation of the truth 
of my opinions, in case nothing solid can be objected 
to them by those great men. This makes me trouble 
you with the two enclosed letters to be sealed and sent 
by you to those gentlemen respectively, if you shall 
think it convenient, or if not I must entreat you to get 
your friend to obtain from them the particulars which 
they object, and that you will transmit them to me ; 
which will in truth be a deed of charity, much greater 
than that of guiding a mistaken traveller into the right 
way, and I think either good office may be with like 
reason claimed by one man from another. 

As to what is said of ranking me with Father 
Malebranche and Mr Norris, whose writings are 
thought too fine spun to be of any great use to man- 
kind, I have this to answer : that I think the notions 
I embrace are not in the least coincident with, or 
agreeing with, theirs, but indeed plainly inconsistent 
with them in the main points, insomuch that I know 
few writers whom I take myself at bottom to differ 
more from than them. Fine spun metaphysics are 
what I on all occasions declare against, and if anyone 
shall shew me anything of that sort in my 'Treatise' 
I will willingly correct it. 

I am sorry that I am not yet favoured with your 
own free thoughts on this subject. Would you but 
think away a few leisure hours in the morning on it, 
I dare say no one would understand it better. And, 
whether I am in a mistake or no, I doubt not but your 
own thoughts will sufficiently recompence your labour. 

I am. Dear Sir, 

Yr most obliged 

humble Serv', 

G. Berkeley. 



90 BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 



Berkeley to Percival. 

Rathmore, 20 Dece)nber, lyio. 



D-- S' 



The last post brought me your letter of the 
fourth instant which informs me what obligations I 
have to you on account of your care in providing that 
my book should be delivered to my Lord Pembroke, 
for which I return yoa my hearty thanks, and I shall 
reckon myself farther obliged to you if you will please 
to let me know whether my Lord has returned it 
(which you say is customary with him), or if by any 
other means his approbation or dislike of it shall come 
to your notice. 

I am now at Mr Blithe's house in the County 
of Meath. It is a large and fair building and has 
very fine improvements about it. The young gentle- 
man lives very well and since his father's death has 
behaved himself so in all respects as to have gained 
the reputation of a very hopeful and prudent man. 
He is now building a poor house for the maintenance 
of the poor of his estate, and intends to assign for that 
purpose a hundred pounds per annum. I tell you this 
because I know such news can be to no one more 
agreeable than to yourself. 

The day before I left Dublin (which was some- 
thing more than a week agone) I chanced to meet 
at the Provost's house with one Mr Langton a curate 
in the County of West-Meath, who had formerly been 
a Dominican friar. He came to complain of one of 
our Collegfe who too-ether with several other of his 
Whig-parishioners had most grossly abused him during 
the time of. Divine Service for preaching Passive 
Obedience. The sermon Mr Langton saith was one 
of Dr Scot's which he had transcribed. The said 
Mr Langton hath likewise given information upon 
oath to the government concerning an association or 



BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 91 

conspiracy on foot amongst the Whig-inhabitants of 
the County of West-Meath in order to obHge the 
Queen to restore the late ministry. The Council hath 
thought fit to take notice of it, and sent up for some 
persons whose testimony Mr Langton made use of, 
but what has since been done in it I know not. I 
was acquainted with this Langton when I went to 
school in Kilkenny, and thought him to be somewhat 
silly. This mighty undertaking of the Whigs of 
West-Meath is certainly very ridiculous ; but there 
are some who imagine the project extends farther 
than that county. 

I purposed to have sent by Mr Percival half a 
dozen of my books to you, to be presented to such of 
your friends as are most conversant in those studies, 
but it happened that his things were then packed 
up and on shipboard. By that means I hoped the 
book would become public and known, I must there- 
fore beg the favour of you that you will let any that 
are curious that way know that both my books are 
to be sold by Mr Churchil in Pater- Noster Row. 
I should not have given you this trouble but that 
Mr Churchil (who is my bookseller's correspondent) 
has neglected to publish them in the usual forms. 
Mr Pepyat suspects the ground of this backwardness 
in Mr Churchil to be his apprehending that the 
encouragement of a printing trade in this kingdom 
would interfere with his interest; since there are yearly 
exported great sums of money to him and other book- 
sellers in London for books, which if that trade were 
encouraged might be printed cheaper in Dublin because 
there is not here so great an impost on paper. Besides 
the trial of Dr Sacheverell and several other things 
that have been lately printed in Dublin there are now 
in the press twenty thousand prayer-books and an 
edition of Erasmus's Colloquies, which for print, paper, 
and correctness will I believe match any of the Dutch 
editions. This flourishing of the printing trade, more 
than ever was known in this kingdom, will I hope 



92 PERCIVAL TO BERKELEY 

bring some benefit to poor Ireland, which considera- 
tion will I doubt not prove with you sufficient apology 
for my troubling you with this narrative of it. 

It remains that I acknowledge the favour you do 
me in sending your thoughts of my production. It 
would greatly rejoice me to find you thought the whole 
worth your careful perusal. As for anything requisite 
to the understanding of it, I am sure to the making it 
I found little else useful than the plain common sense 
God hath given me together with an application and 
eagerness to discover the truth. And if you will take 
my word for it, I assure you there are not those 
great flights and difficulties in it that you seem to 
imagine, nothing more being necessary to a thorough 
comprehending and judging of it than a little exercise 
of your native faculties, which I am persuaded the 
author of nature never intended should be wholly 
employed in the little bustling affairs of this spot of 
earth. 

I am, Sir, 

Your most humble & affec'. Serv*, 

G. Berkeley. 



Percival to Berkeley. 

London, 2Zth Dec. 17 lo. 



D-- s^ 



Yesterday my friend was with me who de- 
livered your book to my Lord Pembroke and said my 
Lord had been with him the day before to desire he 
would return you his thanks for it. He added you 
were an ingenious man and ought to be encouraged, 
but that he could not be convinced of the non-existence 
of matter. However your book was entertaining. 
Not being acquainted with the two gentlemen you 



BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 93 

addressed your letters to, I gave them to two friends of 
theirs, who I suppose delivered them; for Mr Whiston 
is lately come to town, and Dr Clarke told his friend 
that he did not care to write you his thoughts, because 
he was afraid it might draw him into a dispute upon a 
matter which was already clear to him. I replied to 
the gentleman that if he did not care for exchanging 
many letters with you, I would engage for you that 
you would be content if he writ you once for all what 
were his objections. To which he answered that 
Dr Clarke thought your principles you go on are false, 
and that Mr Whiston had formerly told him the same, 
though both conceived a great opinion of you. Then 
he declined further speaking to Dr Clarke, who he 
said was a modest man, and uninclined to shock any 
men whose opinion in things of this nature differed 
from his own. 

I shall inquire Mr Whiston's opinion more particu- 
larly of my other acquaintance and send it you. 

I am, &c., 

J. Percival. 



Berkeley to Percival. 

Trin. Coll., Jan. \()t\ ijff. 



D"^ S"-, 



Being just returned from the County of 
Meath I received not so soon as otherwise I should 
have done your last wherein I am informed of my 
Lord's favourable acceptance of my book. I am very 
sensible of the obligations I have to Mr Southwell for 
the trouble he has given himself in that affair, but since 
I have not the honour to be known by him, I doubt 
whether it be proper to return him thanks for the same. 
I leave it to you (who can best tell) whether it is or no. 



94 BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 

and if it be must beg the favour of you to do it for me. 
Dr Clarke's conduct seems a little surprising. That an 
ingenious and candid person (as I take him to be) 
should declare I am in an error, and at the same time, 
out of modesty, refuse to shew me where it lies, is 
something unaccountable. For my own part, as I shall 
not be backward to recede from the opinion I embrace 
when I see good reason against it, so on the other 
hand, I hope to be excused if I am confirmed in it, 
the more upon meeting with nothing but positive and 
general assertions to the contrary. I never expected 
that a gentleman otherwise so well employed should 
think it worth his while to enter into a dispute with me 
concerning any notions of mine. But being it was so 
clear to him that I went on false principles, I hoped he 
would vouchsafe in a line or two to point them out to 
me that so I may more closely review and examine 
them. If he but once did me this favour he need not 
apprehend I would give him any further trouble, or 
offer any the least occasion for drawing him into a 
dispute with me. If you should happen to meet with 
his friend by chance (for I have already given you too 
much trouble in this matter) I shall be obliged to you 
in case you will let him know this was all my ambition. 
I am very thankful to you for endeavouring to inform 
me more particular in Mr Whiston's opinion. For 
there is nothing I more desire than to know thoroughly 
all that can be said against what I take for truth. 

I am, 

Yr most obliged humble 
Serv', 

G. Berkeley. 



BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 95 

Berkeley to Percival. 

Trin. Coll., Feb. i^'\ 1710/11. ■ 

Having so often troubled you with my im- 
pertinencies I know not what else to say, but that 
I leave it to your own good nature to apologise for my 
repeating the trespass in making this new request to 
you, viz. that you will take care the enclosed letter be 
delivered to my Lord Pembroke, either by yourself or 
by the hands of some friend, or if you shall not think 
fitting to use one of these methods in the delivery 
of it, that you will send a servant who will be sure to 
leave it at my Lord's. I send it unsealed so that if 
you or your friend please to deliver it you may see 
what it contains ; but you will remember to seal it 
if upon reading it you think there is anything improper 
in it (which you are best judge of) as I would not have 
it delivered at all. 

Of late we have been alarmed at several reports of 
the plague being landed in this kingdom, but they 
have proved to have nothing in them. Dr Synge^ has 
put forth an answer to Archdeacon Percival's reply 
to Dr Lambert's vindication of the letter, I mean to 
such part of it as concerns himself. I hear too that 
the Bishop of Cork is about an answer in his own 
behalf, so that the paper war is likely to prove violent 
and of long continuance. The new Lord Chancellor 
is much liked and well spoken of by all parties without 
seeming to interest himself in any. Your friends 
here are well, but we all long to see you and my 
Lady Percival, together with your little son (for such 
I hope it will prove), arrived safe on this side the water. 

I am, 

D^ S^ 

Yr most obliged hum. Serv', 

G. Berkeley. 

^ Edward Synge (1659 — 1741), son of Edward Synge, Bishop of Cork, 
now Archbishop of Tuam, 1736. P. 



96 BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 

P.S. — The ends that I propose in writing to my 
Lord are first to thank him for his acceptance of 
my book, and secondly to give him to understand by 
the most gentle and couched intimation possible that 
I should gladly know the particular grounds of his 
dissent from me in the point of matter's existence, or 
the faults he finds in the arguments on that head. But 
I have conceived a great scruple and suspicion that it 
is not proper for me to address his Lordship in a 
letter. It would therefore be a great satisfaction to me 
if those ends could be obtained by word of mouth from 
some friend especially yourself (if you are yet intro- 
duced into the acquaintance of my Lord). But 
whether this can be done or not, I beg the favour 
of you to suppress the letter if you think there is 
anything in it in the least presumptuous, unmannerly, 
or apt to give offence, and to let me know your 
thoughts in a line or two. 



Berkeley to Percival. 

Trin. Coll., March 6'-^^ 1710/11. 



D-^ S-^, 



This moment yours of the 27''' of Feb. came 
to my hands, I heartily congratulate you upon your 
being blessed with a new sort of pleasure which 
bachelors cannot form a just notion of: something its 
reported there is in the tender passion of a father to 
his child so different from all other enjoyments. And 
this I doubt not is considerably heightened by the 
circumstances that attend it, as first the safe condition 
of my Lady Percival (which though you mention not, 
yet your letter assures me of it), and secondly the 
infant's proving of the nobler sex. It is true, your son 
and heir comes into the world at a factious and turbu- 
lent time, but I am not without hopes that he may 
spend the greater part of his life in the millennium, 
since from some modern interpretations we may expect 



BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 97 

it will be far gone before he comes to age. May- 
be inherit your good qualities as well as your estate in 
order to which I entreat you will read Mr Locke's 
book of ' Education ' that abounds with excellent 
maxims. And, believe me, the foundations of a useful 
and healthy man cannot be laid too early. 

I am, 

Sir, 

Yr most humble 

and affec. Serv*, 

G. Berkeley. 



Berkeley to Percival. 

Trin. CoiA.., June y^, 171 1. 



D^S^ 



I was given to expect that before this I should 
have had an opportunity of returning you my thanks 
here by word of mouth, but missing of that I cannot 
forbear any longer troubling you with a letter to 
express my acknowledgments for the care you were 
pleased to take of that I sent to my Lord Pembroke. 
I am very glad that your generous endeavours in 
behalf of our country have succeeded. Your friends 
here are well pleased upon their first finding by the 
printed notes that you stood up in opposition to the 
bill for a further impost on Irish yarn. I need not 
mention their sentiments on that occasion being per- 
suaded that you think the inward satisfaction of having 
served your country a sufficient recompence for what- 
ever trouble you were at on that account. This affair 
confirms me in a thought I formerly had, viz. that if 
some Irish gentlemen of good fortunes and generous 



98 BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 

inclinations would constantly reside in England, there 
to watch for the interest of their own country, they 
may at such conjunctures bring it far greater ad- 
vantage than they would by spending their incomes 
at home. 

Dan. Dering presents his humble service to you. 
He would be well in all respects if he held an employ- 
ment suitable to his merit. Since the late ministry did 
not I hope the new will do something for him. They 
cannot place their favours on a more deserving young 
gentleman. 

Pray give my service to your brother and to Mr 
Gierke. 

Y' most humble 
and affect. Serv', 

G. Berkeley. 



D^S^ 



Berkeley to Percival. 

Trin. Coll., I'ji^ May, 171 2. 



Your friends here are beholden to Mrs Parker^ 
for letting us know by her letter to Mrs Donnellan 
that you are all arrived safe at your journey's end. 
And I am very glad that the worse accident we have 
to condole with you upon, is your being obliged to 
make a meal at the barracks on cold meat. Burton 
I find pleases beyond expectation ; and I imagine 
it myself at this time one of the finest places in the 
world. And indeed the month of May, with the 
much more enlivening circumstance of good com- 
pany, would make a more indifferent place delicious. 
Dunckarney, however, is not without its beauties ; 

^ Mrs Maxy Parker, my wife's sister, who married Daniel Dering in 
1719. P. 



BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 99 

and as I believe no news can be more agreeable to 
you than that which brings some account of its lonely- 
inhabitants, I shall give a narrative of a visit I made 
them this evening. 

I took a solitary walk that way, and upon my 
coming was informed that the little Lady and Esquire 
were withdrawn to their apartment. Miss indeed was 
in her deshabille, but for all that I was admitted to 
visit her, and she entertained me with a familiarity 
and frankness greater than I had observed before. 
Both her complexion and carriage are altered for the 
better, the one being very fair, and the other free 
from those stately and affected airs which methought 
she had in Capel Street. In a word she is grown a 
very charming and conversible Lady, and seemed not 
at all displeased at my visit. But good manners 
obliged me to shorten it, so after a little discourse 
about her absent friends I left her, and my entertain- 
ment fell to the Esquire's share who acquitted himself 
very obligingly. We took a turn in the gallery and 
then walked in the gardens and avenue. You must not 
now imagine a child held up by leading strings that 
has not a word to say, but a brisk young gentleman 
who walks alone and bears his part in conversation. 
I told him what news I had heard of my Lady, 
Mrs Parker and yourself, with which he was very much 
pleased. But I observed his discourse ran chiefly on 
my Lady, whom he often mentioned, and seemed to 
long for her company to that degree, that if you still 
think of making the same stay you intended, I don't 
know but that he may send you a letter to desire you 
to hasten your return. He shall not want an amanu- 
ensis to write what he dictates in case he cannot 
do it himself. 

I must not forget to tell you the following instance 
of his sagacity. As we were walking in the avenue 
Mr Percival being taken with the sight of a fine 
silver holly must needs touch it, but as soon as he felt 
the prickles drew back his hand. And upon my 

7—2 



loo BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 

insulting him and asking whether he would venture to 
touch it again, he very orderly borrowed my hand- 
kerchief and putting it about his hand touched the 
holly two or three times, to let me see he had wit 
enough to find a way of doing what I dared him to, 
without any inconvenience to his fingers. 

He kisses still with open mouth, and has the same 
comical sneer with his nose. A child that shows such 
early and pregnant signs of good nature and good 
sense 'tis impossible I should not have a fondness 
for, even though he had not been your son. Yesterday 
I heard of a flaming beauty lately come from England 
who in Mrs Parker's absence attracts the eyes of our 
gentleman, but I foresee her reign is not to last longer 
than four months at fartherest, and it is in the power 
of some at Burton to make it as much shorter as they 
please. But I forget myself, you are a grave married 
man, and I a sort of monk or recluse in a college ; it 
doth not therefore become me to talk to you of gallantry. 
So I conclude. 

Pray give my humble service to my Lady, and 
Mrs Parker. All friends are as well here as you can 
suppose them to be in the absence of so much good 
company. 

S', 

Y"" most affect, 
humble Serv*, 

Geo. Berkeley. 



D-^ S' 



Berkeley to Percival. 

Trin. Coll., June s^^, 1712. 



You are grown so distrustful that I doubt 
you won't believe me, if I should tell you that I no 
sooner informed your son of the caution you gave him 
against women, but he fell a laughing, said it was all 



BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL loi 

banter, and swore he would never make his father 
a liar (alluding, you may suppose, to the predictions 
you used to make of him in Capel Street), and upon 
that fell to kissing his sister and nurses with all the 
eao^erness imaginable. That he kissed them heartily 
is literally true. But what more pretty things he said 
and did, how he called himself * brave boy,' and played 
on the fiddle &c. you shall know nothing of from me, 
since you gave so little to the adventure of the hand- 
kerchief, which was really as I reported it. Miss has 
two teeth in sight, and is every day so much altered 
for the better, both in features and complexion, that 
I am sure she will appear a perfect little stranger to all 
of you when you see her next. Both she and her 
brother, being very pretty, hearty, give their duty to 
you, their mother, and their aunt. 

Dan. Bering and I design to visit your paradise, 
and are sure of finding angels there, notwithstanding 
what you say of their vanity. In plain English we 
are agreed to go down to Burton together, and rejoice 
with the good company there. I give you this timely 
warning that you may hang up two hammocks in the 
barn against our coming. I never lie in a feather bed 
in the college, and before now have made a very com- 
fortable shift with a hammock. I conclude in haste. 

Last night a servant of one Mr Alcock over the 
water hanged himself for the love of a coachman's 
daughter. 

S^ 
Y"^ most humble 

and affect. Serv', 

Geo. Berkeley. 



I02 BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 

Berkeley to Percival. 

Trin. Coll., i^t^^ Aug. 1712. 

On Saturday night we came safe to town. 
I know not whether it is worth while to tell you, that 
the day I set out, being already half dead with the 
thoughts of leaving so much good company, it seemed 
as if the weather would have given the finishing stroke 
to my life ; but the two following days were more 
favourable. Last night's pacquets have brought 
nothing remarkable that I can find, though at my 
first coming I met with a hot rumour in everybody's 
mouth of an action between the Dutch and French, 
whereof the event was uncertain. It is believed by 
some of our college-politicians that the Duke of 
Ormond stays in Flanders with a design to compel 
the Dutch to a peace in case they obstinately stand 
out. His Duchess, I hear, has been complimented by 
the Queen and Ministers upon his grace's conduct in 
securing Ghent &c. There is some talk of a triple 
alliance between Britain, France and Sweden. I am 
informed by a gentleman of my acquaintance just come 
from London that the account of my Lord Albemarle's 
defeat^ was publicly cried about the streets by the title 
of good and joyful news. God grant that we have not 
a war with the Dutch. 

I should have sent you the 4th part of 'John Bull,' 
but that Dan. Dering told me he sent it you by last 
Tuesday's post. My Lord BoHngbroke^ is expected 
suddenly from France, whither I suppose you know 
he lately went along with Mr Priori The other day 
two malefactors were publicly pilloried and afterwards 

1 [Earl of Albemarle (1669 — 1718) was defeated and made prisoner 
by the French at the battle of Denain in July, 17 12.] 

^ [Viscount Bolingbroke (1678 — 1751) was engaged at the time in 
negotiations which led to the Treaty of Utrecht.] 

^ [Matthew Prior (1664 — 1721), poet and diplomatist.] 



BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 103 

burnt alive in Felster's shop for having offered some 
affront to the memory of King William, which for 
ever ought to be held (at least by all Protestants 
of these nations) glorious and immortal as are his 
actions. 

My best news I keep for the last. The two 
children are both very well. Master was ill indeed 
but is at present very easy, and his eye teeth are in 
sight which makes us think him past all danger. I gave 
your and my Lady's blessing to him ; told him you 
were all well and designed to see him soon. He has 
made a new sort of a language for himself which I am 
not acquainted with, and as he is neither yet a perfect 
master of the English tongue, it is impossible for us 
exactly to understand one another. However, what 
with words and what with other signs and tokens he 
let me see his meaning. I am afraid to tell you the 
secret, but if I do, be sure do not let my Lady know 
it, lest it might prevent her ever spending another 
summer at Burton. To be plain the child seems not 
to care a farthing for you both. Long absence seems 
to have produced in him a perfect indifference for his 
parents. And a little longer stay will probably make 
him forget you quite. In all respects he is the same 
(with improvement) that he was before ; the same 
pleasant, sensible, good natured boy. Miss Kitty at 
first sight methought was grown unwieldily fat, but 
upon examination I found it to be a plump and firm 
flesh, which in a very sufficient quantity covers her 
cheeks and arms, betokening much nourishment and 
good digestion. She is as brisk and lively as you 
could wish, and is without dispute the most agreeable 
young lady that I have seen on this side Burton. 
Nevertheless if I may be allowed to be a judge of 
beauty I should give it master for features and miss 
for complection. 

Robin stays impatiently for my letter which makes 
me conclude in haste with my most humble service to 
my Lady and Mrs Parker. My humble service to 



I04 BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 

Mr Brererton. I delivered his letter, his wife and 
family are all well. I have made his excuses for not 
coming up. 

Y"" most humble 
and most affect. 
Serv', 

G. Berkeley. 



Berkeley to Percival. 

London, Jan. 26''^, i7|f. 
Dear Sir John, 

In a fortnight after I left Dublin I arrived 
here having made easy journeys and staid some time 
at Chester. The road from Coventry to London was 
very bad, the rest of the way tolerable enough. I was 
surprised to find the country in the depth of winter 
look incomparably pleasanter than most parts of 
Ireland in midsummer. But if the country outdid my 
expectation, the towns fell short of it, even London 
itself seems to exceed Dublin not so much in the 
stateliness or beauty of its buildings as in extent. 
I wrote from Holyhead to an acquaintance of mine to 
provide me a lodging, which he did in the same house 
with the provost and Mr Molyneux. We generally 
see one another in the morning, but for the rest of the 
day are dispersed about the town, and I loving early 
hours am gone to bed before either of them come home 
at night. Upon my first coming I was confined for 
some days, till my portmanteaux came by carriage 
from Chester. In the meantime Mr Clerke hearing 
I was in town came to see me, and next day engaged 



BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 105 

Charles Dering^ and me to dine at his house with 
him, which is very neat and convenient. He is as 
I always found him very obliging and good natured, 
and seems in as good health as ever I knew him. He 
went with me to Mr Southwell, who received me very 
civilly, and with great willingness introduced me two 
days since to my Lord Pembroke, who is a man 
perfectly good natured as well as very learned, and 
with whom I have the prospect of passing some part 
of my time as much to my satisfaction as anything 
can be in the absence of my friends in Ireland. As 
I troubled you to ask this favour of Mr Southwell, 
so I must again trouble you to thank him for it the 
first time you write to him. There is lately published 
a very bold and pernicious book entitled a * Discourse 
on Free Thinking.' I hear the printer of it is put 
into Newgate, as is likewise a woman for selling a 
ballad on the Duke D'Aumont as being a wine- 
merchant. 

For want of other news you must give me leave 
to tell you a very remarkable story I heard the 
other morning from the Provost and Mr Molyneux. 
Mr Tickel, fellow of Oxford, an ingenious, credible 
and sober person, author of the poem on the approach- 
ing peace, gave them the following account. That 
there is in a forest in Hampshire an oak which buds 
and shoots forth leaves every Christmas day. A year 
or two ago he went himself to make the experi- 
ment. He saw it in a light night about two hours 
before day, at which time it had not the least appear- 
ance of bud or leaf, but when day came was covered 
with both : several of the leaves about as large as six- 
pence he plucked and carried to Oxford, where about 
forty persons saw them. A gentleman, who was 
present when the Provost and Mr Molyneux were 
telling this fact, added he had seen some of the leaves 
gathered by another. 

1 Charles Dering, eldest son of my uncle, Auditor General of Ire- 
land. P. 



io6 BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 

The first news I heard upon coming to town was 
that Mr Steele did me the honour to desire to be 
acquainted with me : upon which I have been to see 
him. He is confined with the gout, and is, as I am 
informed, writing a play since he gave over the 
'Spectators,' This gentleman is extremely civil and 
obliging, and I propose no small satisfaction on the 
conversation of him and his ingenious friends, which 
as an encouragement he tells me are to be met with at 
his house. The Bishop of Dromore is dead : yesterday 
in the afternoon the French Ambassador's house was 
burnt down to the ground by the carelessness of his 
servants. They say fine pictures and other moveables 
of the Duke of Powis's are likewise burnt in it, being 
locked up in the garrets to the value of forty thousand 
pounds. The other day dining at a tavern with two or 
three Irish clergymen, I found it a very difficult matter 
to persuade them you were no Whig : I venture however 
to send you the enclosed 'Examiners,' as well knowing 
you are no enemy to wit and humour, though in a 
Tory. Of late they are written by some new hand, 
and much better than formerly ; I speak not with 
regard to the party debates, but to the style and 
spirit, which is all we moderate sort of men mind in 
those sort of papers. 

Your most affect, & 

most obliged humble Serv', 

Geo. Berkeley, 

This day I dined again at Mr Gierke's where we 
drank your health. He talks of seeing you in Ireland 
this summer, and says Dublin is the finest city in the 
world. 

My letters are directed to the Pall Mall Goffee- 
House in the Pall Mall. 



BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 107 

Berkeley to PercivaL 

London, Feb. 23''^, \i\%^. 
Dear Sir John, 

This night Mr Bligh is to have a ball at the 
late Duke Hamilton's house in St James's Square. The 
Marlborough family and one Mrs Warburton and 
Mrs Duncomb make part of his company. Sir Philip 
is at length come to town. I find in him that frank 
good humour and other good qualities which might be 
expected in my Lady's and Mrs Parker's brother : he 
is very obliging. 

Mr Addison and Mr Steele (and so far as I can find, 
the rest of that party) seem entirely persuaded there is 
a design for bringing over the Pretender ; they think 
everything looks that way, and particularly three of 
the best Papist officers, Lieutenant General Mackoni, 
Major General Laules, and Brigadier Skelton, being 
now all in London. Laules, Mr Addison assured me, 
was discovered by an officer at the Queen's birth- 
night, the other two came over, one on pretence of 
sueing for his wife's or sister's fortune, the other of 
being in love with a lady here. All these are Irish- 
men, that have followed the fortunes of King James. 
I have heard another general officer of the same gang 
mentioned as being here, but forgot his name ; and 
that the Duke of Berwick's aunt was known to say, 
her nephew would soon be in London. Some Jacobite 
Tories whom I have happened to converse with seem 
full of the same expectations. I must desire you will 
not quote me for this, not caring to be thought the 
spreader of such news. But I tell this to my Lady, 
Mrs Parker, and yourself, that you may take proper 
measures against that time. 

The value you always shewed for the 'Spectator' 
makes me think it neither impertinent nor unwelcome 
news to tell you that by his mother-in-law's death he is 
come into an estate of five hundred pounds a year; the 

1 Answered 14 March. P. 



io8 BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 

same day his wife was brought to bed of a son. Before 
she laid down the poor man told me he was in great 
pain and put to a thousand little shifts to conceal her 
mother's desperate illness from her. The tender con- 
cern he shewed on that occasion, and what I have 
observed in another good friend of mine, makes me 
imagine the best men are always the best husbands. 
I told Mr Steele if he neglects to resume his writings, 
the world will look on it as the effects of his growing 
rich. But he says this addition to his fortune will 
rather encourage him to exert himself more than ever; 
and I am the apter to believe him, because there appears 
in his natural temper something very generous and a 
great benevolence to mankind. One instance of it is his 
kind and friendly behaviour to me (even though he has 
heard 1 am a Tory). I have dined frequently at his 
house in Bloomsbury Square, which is handsome and 
neatly furnished. His table, servants, coach and 
everything is very genteel, and in appearance above 
his fortune before this new acquisition. His conversa- 
tion is very cheerful and abounds with wit and good 
sense. Somebody {I know not who) had given him 
my treatise of the 'Principles of Human Knowledge,' 
and that was the ground of his inclination to my 
acquaintance. For my part I should reckon it a 
sufficient recompence of my pains in writing it, that it 
gave me some share in the friendship of so worthy a 
man. But though conversation of him and other new 
friends is very agreeable, yet I assure you it all falls 
short of Capel Street. 

I hear a sudden and general rumour that the 
peace has passed the seals and will be proclaimed next 
week. News from your fireside (would you but 
oblige me so far) would be infinitely more acceptable 
than from any court in Europe. My most humble 
service to my Lady and Mrs Parker. 

Your most affec' 

and obliged Serv', 

G. Berkeley. 



BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 109 

Berkeley to Percival. 

London, March 7^^, lyfl^' 

D-^ S^ John, 

I know not by what accident yours of the 
1 1 Feb^ came not to my hands till the last post. 
Your presages of my good fortune I look on rather as 
kind wishes that deserve my thanks, than real pro- 
phecies that may raise my hopes. Happiness, whether 
in a high or low degree, is the same thing. And I 
desire no more. And this perhaps is more within 
anybody's reach than is vulgarly imagined. 

In my last I gave you some intimation of Mr Bligh's 
ball. The Marlborough's family being there disgraced 
him with the Tories, his friends at the Cocoa-tree, 
whither he constantly goes. And soon after it there 
was an advertisement published in one of the printed 
papers, giving an account that the Duchess of Marl- 
borough had left a hundred guineas to be laid out in a 
ball at Duke Hamilton's House, as a triumph over his 
Grace's memory. This affront, which robbed him of 
the glory of his ball, could not but be uneasy to 
Mr Bligh. Dr Swift (whom I met by chance at my 
Lord Pembroke's two nights agone) told me Mr Bligh 
had applied to the author of the Post- Boy, to publish 
contradiction to his former advertisement ; but that he 
refused to do it without the Duchess of Hamilton's 
consent. Mr Bligh prevailed with Dr Swift to intro- 
duce him to the Duchess in order to obtain it. But 
her Grace being a smart woman, and the Dr (as he 
says himself) very ill naturedly taking part with her 
against Dr Bligh, they proved to him the unreason- 
ableness of his request, and sent him away in no small 
confusion. 

It is reported we shall have the peace proclaimed this 
week. Both Whigs and Tories give out, either that six 

1 Answered 14'-^. P. 



no BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 

new peers are to be created, or more than that number 
of young noblemen called up into the House of Lords. 

You will soon hear of Mr Steele under the character 
of the 'Guardian'; he designs his paper shall come out 
every day as the 'Spectator,' He is likewise proposing 
a noble entertainment for persons of a refined taste. 
It is chiefly to consist of the finest pieces of eloquence 
translated from the Greek and Latin authors. They 
will be accompanied with the best music suited to raise 
those passions that are proper to the occasion. Pieces 
of poetry will be there recited. These informations I 
have from Mr Steele himself. I have seen the place 
designed for these performances : it is in York 
Buildings, and he has been at no small expence to 
embellish with all imaginable decorations. It is by 
much the finest chamber I have seen, and will contain 
seats for a select company of 200 persons of the best 
quality and taste, who are to be subscribers. I had 
last night a very ingenious new poem upon Windsor 
Forest given me by the author, Mr Pope. This 
gentleman is a Papist, but a man of excellent wit and 
learning, and one of those Mr Steele mentions in his 
last paper as having writ some of the 'Spectators.' 

I am extremely honoured by my Lady and Mrs 
Parker that they have not quite forgot me. Pray give 
my best humble service to them, and let them know 
that notwithstanding the great distance between us they 
are every day present to my thoughts. Sir Philip and 
Mr Gierke are very well. We were a day or two 
agone at Mr Gierke's remembering our friends in 
Ireland. 

I am, 

D-^ S-- John, 

Y' most humb. & affec' Serv', 

G. Berkeley. 



BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL iii 

Berkeley to Percival. 

London, March 27^-^', lyff^- 

I received your letter about three days since. 
Your opinion of Mr Steele I take to be very just, and 
am persuaded a man of his discernment and insight 
into men will know how to value an acquaintance so 
much to be courted as that you design to honour him 
with. His wit, natural good sense, generous senti- 
ments, and enterprising genius, with a peculiar delicacy 
and easiness of writing, seem those qualities which 
distinguish Mr Steele. Mr Addison has the same 
talents in a high degree, and is likewise a great 
philosopher, having applied himself to speculative 
studies more than any of the wits that I know. 

After what I have formerly told you of the appre- 
hensions those gentlemen had, I think myself obliged to 
let you know that they are now all over. Mr Steele 
having told me this week that he now imagines my 
Lord Treasurer had no design of bringing in the Pre- 
tender, and in case he had, that he is persuaded he 
could never perform it ; and this morning I breakfasted 
with Mr Addison at Dr Swift's lodging. His coming 
in whilst I was there, and the good temper he shewed, 
was construed by me as a sign of an approaching 
coalition of parties, Mr Addison being more earnest 
in the Whig cause than Mr Steele (the former having 
quitted an employment, rather than hold it under the 
Tories, which by a little compliance he might have 
done), and there having passed a coldness, if not a 
direct breach, between those two gentlemen and Dr 
Swift on the score of politics. Dr Swift's will is 
admired by both of them, and indeed by his greatest 
enemies ; and if I were not afraid of disobliging my 
Lady and Mrs Parker I should tell you that I think 

^ Answered 21 April. P. 



112 BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 

him one of the best natured and agreeable men in the 
world. 

Mr Steele's entertainment at York Buildings only 
waits the finishing of two pictures, the one of truth, 
the other of eloquence, which are designed as part of 
the ornaments of the place where it is to be. He tells 
me he has had some discourse with the Lord Treasurer 
relating to it, and talks as if he would engage my 
Lord Treasurer in his project, designing that it shall 
comprehend both Whigs and Tories. A play^ of 
Mr Steele's, which was expected, he has now put off 
to next winter. But Cato, a most noble play of 
Mr Addison's, and the only one he writ, is to be acted 
in Easter week. The town is full of expectation of it, 
the boxes being already bespoke, and he designing to 
give all the benefit away among the actors in pro- 
portion to their performing. I would send you the 
'Guardians' and two very fine poems, one of them being 
writ by an Irish Clergyman, Dr Parnell, if you would 
direct me how. 

My humble service to my Lady and Mrs Parker. 

Y"" most hum. Serv', 

G. Berkeley. 



Berkeley to Percival. 

London, Apr. 16^-^, 1713. 



D^ S^ 



If I had sooner known of my Lady's being 
delivered of a daughter, I should sooner have con- 
gratulated you upon that good fortune. I say this 
that you might not think me insensible of your happi- 
ness, though you were not pleased to impart it to me. 

For public news I suppose the public papers suffi- 
ciently inform you as to that. However I shall tell you 



BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 113 

two or three particulars which I believe you have not 
heard. About three weeks ago my Lord Treasurer 
was at a meeting of Whigs at my Lord Halifax's house. 
The Duke of Argyle and some other Tory Lords who 
were jealous of this taxed my Lord Treasurer with 
it in a private company, and were curious to know 
what was the business of that conference; to which he 
answered no more than this : What ! am I not fit to 
be trusted ? I would not be understood to apprehend 
a change by this, but only tell it as an instance of 
that man's secrecy, and to shew that he is not on such 
violent terms with those of the other party as may be 
imagined. I was informed of this by a gentleman 
that was present at what passed between my Lord 
and the Duke of Argyle &c. The same person is 
very acquainted with all the ministers and with my 
Lady Masham and declared to me that he never 
heard the least expression drop from any of them 
(and he makes one in almost all their partys of 
private meetings) that looked like an inclination to 
the Pretender. 

On Tuesday last Mr Addison's play entitled 
Cato was acted the first time. I am informed the 
front boxes were all bespoke for nine days, a fort- 
night before the play was acted. I was present 
with Mr Addison, and two or three more friends in 
a side box, where we had a table and two or three 
flasks of burgundy and champagne, with which the 
author (who is a very sober man) thought it necessary 
to support his spirits in the concern he was then 
under ; and indeed it was a pleasant refreshment to 
us all between the acts. He has performed a very 
difficult task with great success, having introduced the 
noblest ideas of virtue and religion upon the stage 
with the greatest applause, and in the fullest audience 
that ever was known. The actors were at the expence 
of new habits, which were very magnificent, and 
Mr Addison takes no part of the profit, which will be 
very great, to himself. Some parts of the prologue, 



114 BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 

which were written by Mr Pope, a Tory and even a 
Papist, were hissed, being thought to favour of whig- 
gism, but the clap got much the hiss. My Lord Harley, 
who sat in the next box to us, was observed to 
clap as loud as any in the house all the time of the 
play. Though some Tories imagine his play to have 
an ill design, yet I am persuaded you are not so 
violent as to be displeased at the good success of an 
author (whose aim is to reform the stage) because his 
hero was thought to be a Roman whig. 

This day I dined at Dr Arbuthnot's lodging in the 
Queen's palace. The Dr read part of a letter from a 
friend in France, which gave an account that the 
French king is now forming a company of merchants 
to whom he will grant great privileges and encourage- 
ments to import into his kingdom sixty thousand head 
of black cattle alive. The gentleman who wrote the 
letter (whose name I am obliged not to mention) says 
that he was offered to be made director of this affair 
but that he refused it, being of the opinion it would 
prove very prejudicial to Her Majesty's dominions, and 
particularly to Ireland, whence they propose to import 
the greatest part of the cattle. This looks as if the 
stock of France was exhausted, and perhaps it may 
not be amiss if the Council of Ireland would enter on 
some measures to prevent the exhausting the stock of 
their own country by supplying France. 

This Dr Arbuthnot is the first proselyte I have 
made by the Treatise I came over to print, which will 
soon be published. His wit you have an instance of 
in his 'Art of Political Lying,' and the tracts of 'John 
Bull' of which he is the author. He is the Queen's 
domestic physician, and in great esteem with the 
whole Court. Nor is he less valuable for his learning, 
being a great philosopher, and reckoned among the 
first mathematicians of the age. Besides which he 
has likewise the character of very uncommon virtue 
and probity. 

D. Dering is so full of business that I can hardly 



BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 115 

ever see him. My humble service to my Lady and 
Mrs Parker. Pray inform me of the children in your 
next. 

Your most hum. Serv\ 

G, Berkeley. 



Berkeley to PercivaL 

London, 7'^^^ May^ 17 13. 



D^SS 



I am very glad to hear that Miss has pleased 
the world so well upon her first appearance in it, and 
foresee there is not a pair in the Queen's dominions to 
whom the public will have greater obligations for 
propagating a healthy and beautiful race, than to my 
Lady and yourself. 

By the account I gave you in my last, I did not 
apprehend that the French would be able to rival us 
in our beef trade, but the danger that I and others 
apprehended from their project was, that the exporting 
so many head of black cattle out of Ireland might 
lessen the stock there, and by that means occasion an 
effect in its consequences much more prejudicial to the 
kingdom, than the present pistoles they would import 
might be of advantage to it. 

Mr Molyneux has been this considerable time gone 
for Utrecht, whence he designs to continue his travels 
into Italy &c., and Mr Bligh is gone to France. 

Mr Addison's play has taken wonderfully, they 
have acted it now alm©st a month, and would I believe 
act it a month longer were it not that Mrs Oldfield 
cannot hold out any longer, having had for several nights 
past, as I am informed, a midwife behind the scenes, 
which is surely very unbecoming the character of 

8—2 



ii6 BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 

Cato's daughter. I hear likewise that the principal 
players are resolved for the future to reform the stage, 
and suffer nothing to be repeated there, which the 
most virtuous persons might not hear, being now con- 
vinced by experience that no play ever drew a greater 
concourse of people, than the most virtuous. 

Pray let my Lady and Mrs Parker know that I 
converse much with Whigs. The very day on which 
the peace was proclaimed, instead of associating with 
Tories, I dined with several of the other party at 
Dr Garth's, where we drank the Duke of Marlborough's 
health, though they had not the heart to speak one 
word against the peace, and indeed the spirit of the 
Whigs seems quite broken, and is not likely to recover. 

I believe as you do that I shall stay longer here 
than I at first designed, and am much obliged to you 
for your kind offer, but, I thank God, that way of 
life which best suits with my circumstances is not 
disagreeable to my inclinations. There is here a Lord 
of my name, a man of letters and a very worthy 
man, from whom I have received great civilities; I 
dine two or three times a week at his table, and there 
are several other places where I am invited, which 
lightens my expence, and makes it easier living here 
than I expected. I saw Sir Philip Parker yesterday. 
He is resolved upon going to Ireland the latter end of 
this, or the beginning of next, month. My humble 
service to my Lady and Mrs Parker. 

I am, D"" Sir, 

Your most obliged 

& most humb. Serv*, 

G. Berkeley. 



PERCIVAL TO BERKELEY 117 

Percival to Berkeley. 

Dublin, 14'^ May^ 1713. 
Dear Mr Berkeley, 

I hear your new book is printed though 
not yet published, and that your opinion has gained 
ground among the learned ; that Mr Addison is 
come over to you; and now what seemed shocking at 
first is become so familiar that others envy you the 
discovery and make it their own. This is a great 
progress for so short a time, and will I fear make you 
think England a more kindly soil for such productions 
than the country of your birth. However, we on this 
side will insist on it that the plant is our own, and 
owes her sprouting up so quick in England, not so 
much to the nature of that soil, as to the advantage 
of being transplanted into fresh ground. So if you 
come back to us altered in your taste and sense of 
things, we will still pride ourselves that you are of 
Irish growth, and any improvement you receive shall 
be owing only to the new ideas raised in you, which 
your own native genius has by reflection turned to 
good use, not in the excellency of things that offer 
themselves. So the rude ore has nothing in appear- 
ance delightful or useful till an artist by his skill 
extracts the silver. 

You have now an opportunity of gratifying one 
piece of curiosity which I have heard you very inqui- 
sitive about when on this side, I mean the surprise of 
a person born blind, when made to see. One Grant, 
an oculist, has put out advertisement of his art this 
way, with whom I believe you would find satisfaction 
in discoursing. 

I have desired Dan' Dering when he comes to 
bring me a perspective glass five feet long, and beg 
you will assist him in the choice of a good one, to be 
bought of the best artist that way. 

I am, Sir, &c., 



To Mr Berkeley in London. 



J. Percival. 



ii8 BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 

Berkeley to Percival. 

London, 2^^^ June, 17 13. 

Your letter wherein you desire me to assist 
Mr Daniel Dering in the choice of a telescope for you 
came to my hands after his departure for Ireland. If 
in that or any other affair you will lay your commands 
upon me, I hope I need not tell you that I should 
be glad to serve you. As to what you mention of a 
dispute on foot here, concerning the invention of some 
notions that I have published, I do not know of any- 
thing which might give ground for that report, unless 
it be that a clergyman of Wiltshire has lately put 
forth a treatise, wherein he advances something which 
had been published three years before in my ' Treatise 
concerning the Principles of Human Knowledge.' 
D. Dering brings you one of the books I printed the 
other day. I shall be very glad to hear your opinion 
of it, and that you thought it worth your perusal. 
I have discoursed with Mr Addison, Dr Smalridge, 
and several others since my coming hither, upon the 
points I have endeavoured to introduce into the world. 
I find them to be men of clear understandings and 
great candour. 

Having mentioned Dr Smalridge I cannot but take 
notice to you that I think myself very happy in the 
acquaintance I have made with him. He is a man no 
less amiable for his cheerfulness of temper and good 
nature, than he is to be respected for his piety and 
learning. He and Bishop Atterbury are mentioned 
for the Bishopric of Rochester and Deanery of West- 
minster, which go together. If Atterbury is preferred 
before him, people will look on it as owing to a 
division between that Dean and the Canons of Christ- 
church, Oxon, which the government is willing to put 
an end to. 

The Scotch are in a great ferment, occasioned by 



PERCIVAL TO BERKELEY 119 

the malt tax, insomuch that they have proposed the 
breaking of the Union. And it is now in the mouth 
of everyone that the Duke of Argyle and the rest 
of them are fallen off from the Court interests. It is 
reported that they had lately a meeting with the Whigs 
at the Duke of Devonshire's, wherein they promised 
to vote with them for bringing over the heir of 
Hanover, and running down the Treaty of Com- 
merce, in case the Whigs would join them in taking off 
the malt tax. This trafficing for votes looks very 
dishonourable. Love of their country is pretended to 
be the motive that stirs up the Scots, but others think 
it is love of places and pensions which they propose to 
get by bullying the Court. 

My most humble service to my Lady and Mrs 
Parker. 

I am, in haste, 

Your most humble 

& affect. Servant, 

George Berkeley. 



Percival to Berkeley. 

Dublin, i^t^ July, 1713. 



Dear Sir, 



I have directed this to London, though 
I believe you are now at Oxford, but my letter 
might miss you there. 

I hope you will be so kind as to give us some account 
of the Act, and how that noble University has enter- 
tained you, where the aspect of the place and way of 
life is different from anything I believe you have seen 
before. 



I20 PERCIVAL TO BERKELEY 

You will not want that I should inform you of 
what passed two days ago in your college in re- 
lation to the expulsion and degrading of Forbes. 
Therefore I will say no more but give you some sense 
of the matter, that as far as the master's attempt 
could though in consequence reflect on the memory 
of King William and countenance a Jacobite principle, 
I rejoice that they miscarried, for I am still, as I hope 
ever to be, a grateful acknowledger of that man's 
services to our religion and liberties. 

I heard the other day from a collegian that you 
have writ some friends word, you do not intend to 
come back, and he said if you did not come in four 
months, you of course would lose your fellowship, 
unless the Queen gave you liberty in that point. 
Perhaps the late advancement of two junior fellows 
to be seniors will make you think it worth your while 
not to quit the college, you are so near a senior fellow- 
ship, but if you are otherwise determined, I shall not 
doubt but that it is on a very good account, and 
I shall be very glad to hear of your advancement in 
England. 

I can now tell you I have read your last book 
through and through, and I think with as much 
application as I ever did any. The new method you 
took by way of dialogue, I am satisfied has made your 
meaning much easier understood, and was the pro- 
perest course you could use in such an argument, 
where prejudice against the novelty of it was sure to 
raise numberless objections that could not anyway so 
easy as by dialogue be either made or answered. It is 
not common for men possessed of a new opinion to raise 
so many arguments against it as you have done, 
whether it be for want of ingenuity, and a partiality 
to themselves, that they won't see their notions in all 
lights to be viewed, or else because they are blinded, 
and really do not perceive the weight and number of 
reasons against them ; but I speak with all sincerity, 
I am equally surprised at the number of objections 



BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 121 

you bring and the satisfactory answers you give after- 
wards, and I declare I am much more of your opinion 
than I was before. The least I can say is, that your 
notion is as probable as that you argue against, and 
when prejudice is wore off it must bear down the 
balance, towards which there is nothing contributes 
more than urging the point, as I did lately on one 
occasion, where finding I was able to make my party 
good, though I had not then gone through your book, 
I began to think it unreasonable to favour an old 
opinion more than a new one, when there was as 
much to say for the one as the other, and at least 
equal difficulties against both. 

I hear Dr Swift has said you have not made a 
convert of Dr Arbuthnot. 

In short, prejudice to the understanding is like a 
mist to the sight, the fault is not in the object, neither 
is it in the eye, but a thick vapour arises from the 
irregularity of our wills which obscures for a while 
the things we would see, 'till the sunshine of reason 
disperses it. 

I have writ you a long letter, and it is time to 
conclude. 

&c. 

J. Percival. 

My wife and sister desire their services and, 
because they know you wish us all well, bid me tell 
you the children are all well and thriving. 



D-^ S^ 



Berkeley to Percival. 

Oxford, ig*^'^ July, 1713. 



I have been now almost a month in this 
town and think it to be the most delightful place 
I have ever seen, as well as for the pleasantness of its 



122 BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 

situation, as that great number of ancient and modern 
buildings which have a very agreeable effect on my 
eye, though I came from London and visited Hampton 
Court and Windsor by the way. 

It may perhaps be some entertainment to give you 
an account of the solemnity with which the Act has 
been celebrated in this place. For several days 
together we have had the best music of all kinds 
in the theatre performed by the most eminent persons 
of London, from the Opera, Queen's Chapel &c., 
joined with some belonging to the chorus of Oxford ; 
and with the music there were intermixed public 
exercises as disputations in the several facultys, 
speeches, declamations, and verses. These perform- 
ances drew together a great concourse both from 
London and the country, amongst whom were several 
foreigners, particularly about thirty Frenchmen of the 
Ambassador's company, who (it is reported) were all 
robbed by one single highwayman as they were 
coming from London, who is since taken. The town 
was so crowded that lodgings at other times not worth 
half a crown were set for a guinea the week. It was 
computed that at once there were two thousand ladies 
in the theatre. During the time of the Act and since, 
there was nothing but feasting and music in the several 
colleges. Plays are acted every night, and the town 
is filled with puppet-shows, and other the like diver- 
sions. But there is no part of the entertainment so 
agreeable to me as the conversation of Dr Smalridge, 
who is in all respects a most excellent person. Two 
days since he was installed Dean of Christ Church. 
The same day a young gentleman of Christ Church 
College was found drowned in the public house of 
office. He fell in about four days before, through the 
holes which were too wide, and by some groans that 
were heard it is computed that he lived about five hours 
in that miserable condition. 

The weather is extremely bad, I think no better 
than we had last summer at Burton. And indeed in 



BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 123 

this particular I have been very much disappointed ever 
since my coming into England. 

My most humble respects to my Lady, Mrs Parker, 
your little son and daughters. I should be glad to 
hear how Mr Johnny speaks, and what he says. If you 
favour me with a line, direct to Mr Ives's over against 
All Souls College. 

I am, S"", 

Your most humble 

& affect. Servant, 

G. Berkeley. 



Berkeley to Percival. 

Oxford, Ajig. 7^^ 1713^. 



D^ s^ 



It makes me have a better opinion of my 
book that you have thought it worth your while to 
read it through, and not dislike the notions it contains 
the more for having attended to them. As it was my 
intention to conceal or smother nothing that made 
against me I endeavoured to place all objections in the 
fairest light, and if either you or any other ingenious 
friend will communicate any which are not answered, 
I shall not fail to consider them with all the impartiality 
I can. 

As to what you write of Dr Arbuthnot's not being 
of my opinion, it is true there has been some difference 
between us concerning some notions relating to the 
necessity of the laws of nature, but this does not touch 
the main point of the non-existence of what philo- 
sophers call material substance, against which he has 
acknowledged he can object nothing. 

^ Answered "j^^ Sept. P. 



124 BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 

I cannot imagine what should give occasion to the 
report of my not designing to go back to Ireland, 
since I have never written one word to that purpose 
to any friend there. I thank you for your kind 
concern for my advancement in the world, though 
I assure you it is not any prospect of that kind that 
detains me here. The steps I have taken since my 
coming hither, having been rather in order to make 
some acquaintance with men of merit, than to engage 
myself in the interests of those in power. Besides the 
greatest satisfaction which I proposed by living in 
England, I am utterly disappointed in, I mean fair 
weather, which we have had as little of here as ever 
I knew in the worst season in Ireland. And this 
circumstance makes me more in love with my own 
country than I was before. There is another motive 
which would give the preference in my thoughts to 
Ireland, viz. the conversation of yourself and the good 
company you have with you ; but when I consider it is 
likely you will spend as much of your time here as 
there, I look on that point as making for neither side. 
The more I think on it, the more I am persuaded that 
my happiness will not consist in riches and advance- 
ment. If I could prosecute my studies in health and 
tranquillity, that would make me as happy as I expect 
to be in this life, but in the College I enjoyed neither 
in that degree I do at present. 

Pray give my most humble service to my Lady and 
Mrs Parker, and her nephew and nieces. 

I am, D-- SS 

Y' most affect. & most obliged 
humble Serv', 

Geo, Berkeley. 



BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 125 

Berkeley to Percival. 

London, Aug. 2-]^^ 17 13. 

Last night I came hither from Oxford. 
I could not without some regret leave a place which 
I had found so entertaining, on account of the pleasant 
situation, healthy air, magnificent buildings, and good 
company, all which I enjoyed the last fortnight of my 
being there with much better relish than I had done 
before, the weather having been during that time very 
fair, without which I find nothing can be agreeable to 
me. But the far greater affliction that I sustained 
about this time twelvemonth in leaving Burton made 
this seem a small misfortune. The first news I heard 
upon my coming to town was that two or three nights 
since Mr Bligh was married to the Lady Theodosia 
Hide, daughter of the Earl of Clarendon. I am told 
she is a great beauty, and has to her fortune about 
two thousand pound per annum : but I believe this is 
magnified. She is Baroness of Clifton, which title 
will descend to her son. I went to see him this 
morning when it was past ten o'clock, but he was not 
then stirring. Mr Bligh has not been above ten days 
come from France, so that the match must have been 
very sudden. The Provost who knows Lady Theodosia 
says she is of a brisk and lively temper. I hardly 
find anyone that I used to converse with in town. But 
I was obliged to come here in order to solicit a licence 
for absence from the College, at the Secretary's Office, 
the house thinking themselves obliged to put me to 
the expence and trouble of it. Mr Clerke I am 
informed went yesterday to the Bath. Pray give my 
humble respects to my Lady, Mrs Parker, S" Philip, 
and the little pledges of your and my Lady's love. 

I am, Dear Sir, 

Your most humble 

& most affect. Serv', 

G. Berkeley. 



126 BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 

Be7'keley to Percival. 

London, 2«^ Oct. 1713. 

The description you favoured me with of 
your little offspring was very entertaining, and though 
slightly amiable has, I am persuaded, nothing of a 
father's fondness in it : what shall we think of your 
family which had before the greatest charms of any 
that I ever knew, when it is enriched by the accession 
of these growing wits and beauties. As I cannot but 
think your condition to be envied for the present, since 
you have so much good company within your own 
walls, so I am troubled when I consider, that you 
must lose it in a little time ; your son will distinguish 
himself in the University, and at Court, and your 
daughters will be forced from you by men of the greatest 
merit and fortune in England. 

Lady Theodosia Bligh is I think the most airy 
young creature I ever saw : she detests the thought 
of going to Ireland, and Mr Bligh is about taking a 
house, and purchasing the furniture of it from my 
Dr Stairs. 

I am informed that the Queen and Council at 
Windsor have decided the affair in dispute between 
the Government and city of Dublin in favour of the 
latter, to me it is surprising that you should begin a 
contest with the aldermen which you were not able to 
go through with. 

I have good hopes that the public welfare will be 
better provided for by our treaty of peace and com- 
merce than you seem to apprehend. My reason for 
this is, that on all hands it is agreed the Tories have 
incomparably the majority in the elections for parlia- 
ment men, which could hardly be, in case they were 
thought to pursue methods destructive of the nation. 
Since I have been obliged to get a licence from the 
Queen for absence from the college, I shall probably 



BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 127 

stay longer than I Intended, and do not now think of 
returning before Christmas. 

Mr Steele having laid down his employments, 
because (as he says) he would not be obliged to those 
to whom he could not be grateful, has of late turned 
his head towards politics and published a pamphlet in 
relation to Dunkirk, which you may perhaps have seen 
by this time. 

My humble service to my Lady and Mrs Parker. 

D-- S^ 

Your most humble 

& affec^ Servant, 

G. Berkeley. 



Berkeley to Percival. 

London, \^th Oct. 1713^ 
D^ S^ 

I have just time to take my leave of you and 
let you know that I am now on the point of going to 
Sicily, where I propose seeing the new king's corona- 
tion. I go Chaplain to my Lord Peterborough who 
is the ambassador extraordinary sent thither on this 
occasion. We take France, &c. in our way. There 
is not any place that I have a greater curiosity to see 
than Sicily. I cannot now make a certain judgment 
of things, how they are likely to go with me, but when 
I am there in case I find myself pressed I shall have 
recourse to the kind offer you have often made me. 
This notion is very sudden. Pray give my respects to 
my Lady, Mrs Parker, &c. 

I am, D-- S^ 

Your most affec*^ 

& obed. Serv^ 

G. Berkeley. 

1 Answered s^^ Nov. P. 



128 BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 



D^ S^ 



Berkeley to Percival. 

Paris, 2^^''- Nov. N.S. 1713^. 



On the 25''' Oct. O.S, I set out from London 
in company of a Frenchman, a Spaniard, and a 
Flandrian, with three EngHsh servants of my Lord's. 
I was glad of this opportunity of going before with 
Col. Du Hamel, my Lord's aide-de-camp, that I may 
have time to see Paris etc. before my Lord's arrival ; 
besides I found a great benefit in travelling with 
foreigners, which obliged me to speak the French 
language. The 29'^ about four in the morning after a 
very narrow escape we landed at Calais. Here my 
Lord's chariot, which brought the Colonel and me 
from London to Dover, was to wait his coming ; and 
it was left to my choice either to ride fast with the 
Col. (who was obliged to go before to provide lodgings 
&c. in Paris), or stay till the stage coach went. I 
chose the latter, and on the 12"" Nov' N.S. embarked 
in the stage coach with a company who were all 
perfect strangers to me. There happened to be one 
English gentleman and two Scotch, among whom was 
Mr Martin, the author of 'The Voyage to St Kilda.' 
He also published an account of the other western 
islands of Scotland. We were very cheerful on the 
road, and the inhabitants of St Kilda did not a little 
contribute to our diversion. For certain reasons I 
omit saying anything of the country, the towns, or the 
people that we saw in our seven days' journey from 
Calais to Paris, where we arrived on the 17'^ N.S. in 
the evening. The next day I dined with the Ambas- 
sador of Sicily, where there were several Sicilian and 
Piedmontese persons of quality. Since that I have 
visited Mr Prior, and am to dine with him today. 
He is a man of good sense and learning, and lives 
magnificently as becomes the Queen's Plenipotentiary. 
My time is thus divided between foreigners and states- 
men, and the intervals of time are filled up with 

^ Answered 17^-^ Dec. P. 



BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 129 

thinking on my absent friends, and viewing the noble 
buildings and pieces of painting and statuary, which are 
here very numerous, and so far as I can judge excellent. 
I have here met with a pleasant ingenious gentle- 
man, Mons"" I'abbe d'Aubigne, Chevalier of the order 
of St Lazarus, who has undertaken to shew me every- 
thing that is curious. I have spent the two last days 
with him : today he is to introduce me to Father 
Mallebranche, a famous philosopher in this city ; and 
tomorrow we go together to Versailles. It were 
endless to recount particulars, all I shall say is, that 
the magnificence of their churches and convents sur- 
passes my expectation. The day before yesterday I 
visited the place de Vendome, le place de Victoire, 
and le place Regale, and the Louvre, le convent des 
Capucins, le Feuillant, I'Eglise des Minims, I'Eglise 
des Celestins, where are the tombs of the ancient 
kings. Yesterday we saw the monastery of St Gene- 
vieve, with its library and cabinet of rarities ; the 
English college where the body of King James and 
that of his daughter are still to be seen exposed in 
their coffins. The people who take the king for a 
saint have broke ofT several pieces of the coffin, &c. 
for relics. We saw likewise the Irish college, and the 
Sorbonne, where we were present at their Divinity 
disputations. All is wonderfully fine and curious, but 
the finest of all is the Chapel in the Church of the 
Invalides, which the Abbe d'Aubigne assured me 
was not to be surpassed in Italy. We now expect 
my Lord every minute in Paris ; so that I am in a 
great hurry, being willing to profit of the little time 
I stay here ; however, I snatched the present moment 
to write you this scrawl, which I hope you will excuse. 

D"^ S^ Your most hum'^ 

& most affect. Serv\ 

G. Berkeley. 

My most humble service to my Lady and Mrs 
Parker. 



I30 BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 



D"^ S^ 



Berkeley to Percival. 

Lyons, Dec. 2S^\ 1713^- 



Lyons has been filled all this day with rejoicings 
of all sorts, on account of the king's statue, which was 
placed this morning on its pedestal in the middle of the 
great place. Some part of the solemnity was pretty 
singular, the mayor, aldermen, and sheriffs were 
drawn out in their formalities, and bare-headed to 
salute the statue. The mayor made a speech to it, 
I am told it will be printed. The fireworks are now 
beginning to play, but I have more pleasure in 
snatching the present opportunity of writing to you 
than I should in seeing that spectacle. This is a very 
noble city, and more populous and rich in proportion 
than Paris. It has several fine buildings and antiquities, 
which made the week I have spent here pass very 
agreeably. The opera here is magnificent enough, 
but the music bad. I was introduced to the Assembly 
of Madame d'Intendante ; when I was there I could 
not but observe, in my thoughts, how much her apart- 
ments and furniture as well as her person were 
inferiour to those of my Lady Percival. The month 
I spent at Paris was not so entertaining as I hoped 
on account of the extreme sharpness of the weather, 
which however did not prevent my visiting the king's 
palaces and country seats &c., though it must be owned 
it spoilt my relish and made them appear worse than 
they would have done in a better season. 

I had forgot to tell what seems odd to strangers, 
that the clergy game in these public assemblys. Play 
is the general humour of the French, and it runs high. 
Mr Oglethorpe, an ingenious English gentleman that 
goes with us to Sicily, lost fifty guineas last night at 
the Intendants. He and Col. Du Hamel and I set 
forward tomorrow morning for Turin, and thence to 

^ Received in London 16''''' March i/lf- Answered 8'^''' April. 



BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 131 

Genoa, where we meet my Lord, who goes by sea 
from Toulon. For my own part I am glad of this 
opportunity of seeing Italy, though it be at the expence 
of passing the Alps in this rude season. I go armed 
with furred gloves, a furred bag to put my legs in, 
and the like necessaries to withstand the prodigious 
cold we must expect in this journey, which has already 
pretty well hardened my constitution. 

I will not congratulate with you, but with your 
country, that has you for its representative in Parlia- 
ment. I am sure it were to be wished there were 
many such representatives at this time when the 
parties there run so high, and are so much incensed 
against each other, though (God knows) at bottom 
for little reason, and to no other purpose than to hurt 
their country. I have only time to add my humble 
respects to my Lady and Mrs Parker (perhaps now 
Mrs Domville, my Lady Poorscourt, or some other 
name) and remain, 

D-" S^ Yr most humb" 
& affect. Serv', 

G. Berkeley. 



Berkeley to Percival. 

Genoa, \tf'- Feb., N.S., 1714. 



Dear Sir, 



I staid about a month at Paris, eight days at 
Lyons, and eleven at Turin, and I have been now 
almost three weeks at Genoa. I writ to you from 
each of the fore mentioned places, but know not 
whether my letters came to your hands, being in some 
doubt that the posts are not yet regulated, between 
France and England. This makes my letter shorter 



9—2 



132 BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 

than otherwise it would be; for I have a thousand 
things to tell you of my travels by sea and land, by 
coach, horse, boat chaise, and in all kind of companies. 
I have not seen any town that pleased me more than 
this. The churches, palaces, and indeed the ordinary 
houses are very magnificent. It has nevertheless one 
fault, that the streets are generally very narrow, but 
I should not pretend to describe it to you, believing 
you have been here yourself. 

I made it my business to visit the colleges, libraries, 
booksellers' shops, both at Turin and here, but do not 
find that learning flourishes among them. Nothing 
curious in the sciences has of late been published in 
Italy. Their clergy for the most part are extremely 
ignorant; as an instance of it, they shewed me in the 
library of the Franciscans in this town a Hebrew book, 
taking it to be an English one. 

My Lord Peterborough joined us here, about a 
week since. He came by water from Toulon. He is 
a man of excellent parts, and frank cheerful conver- 
sation. We are to set out to-day in a felucca for 
Leghorn, where we are to embark for Sicily in two 
Maltese vessels, the man of war and yacht with my 
Lord's equipage not being yet arrived. 

I reckon it is now time that I congratulate you and 
my Lady on the birth of a new son, and Mrs Parker on 
her marriage. I long to hear some news from your 
fireside and am with the truest respect to those that sit 
about it, 

D^ S^ 

Your most obed' 

& affec' Serv', 

G. Berkeley. 



BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 133 



Dear Sir, 



Berkeley to Percival. 

Leghorn, ic^th peb., N.S., i;!!^ 



Ireland is certainly one of the finest countries 
and Dublin one of the finest cities in the world ; the 
further I go, the more I am convinced of this truth. 
But if you have the advantage of these countries in 
point of plenty, government, and religion, it must be 
owned you fall infinitely short of them, in respect of 
concord, and unanimity. By nature and constitution 
you should be happy, but faction and jealousy make 
you miserable in spite of both. These reflections 
are occasioned by my seeing the newspapers filled 
with an account of the dissensions at present reigning 
between the citizens, lords, commons, and clergy of 
Ireland. I now fancy that your estate is converted 
into a ship filled with all necessaries for the voyage to 
Mascarenes, and that you and our friends of that 
party are on the point of embarking. I beg you will 
turn aside to the left and take me up at Leghorn, 
though if I were not afraid of diverting you from such 
an agreeable project, I could assure you that the 
French nation is so impoverished and dispeopled by 
the war, that we need not entertain any apprehensions 
of having a Pretender imposed upon us by their power. 
I speak this of my own knowledge having passed 
through the heart of France, and been an eyewitness 
of its misery. 

I shall not pretend to give you my description of 
Italy, who knows it so much better than myself. 
There is nothing in it that pleases me more than the 
clear sky and warm weather so universal with us in 
this season. This town is the neatest and most regular 
that I have seen in Italy. It is very populous and 
a place of great trade. There are several English 

^ Answered 29^*^ June. P. 



134 BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 

families of merchants, who are very rich and live at 
a much greater rate than the Italian nobility. 

My Lord Ambassador, who is a man of excellent 
parts and good humour, not thinking fit to wait the 
arrival of his equipage, which is coming by sea from 
London, parted from hence about ten days since on 
board a Maltese vessel bound to Palermo, where he 
designs to stay but a short time, and put off his public 
entry till his return. He has taken with him but 
two or three servants, and left orders for my diet and 
lodging here with his secretary, and some others of his 
retinue. The secretary is an Italian and a very good- 
natured gentleman, as well as a man of sense. There 
are already no less than nine different nations among 
my Lord's domestics. This gives me a good opportunity 
of improving myself in French and Italian. They are 
very civil to me, and in that respect make me as 
easy as I hope to be in any company besides those 
who used to rejoice my heart in Dublin. 

A thought comes into my head that the restless state 
of affairs at home may put you (like Atticus) upon seek- 
ing repose in Italy, till the storm is overblown. This 
climate I am sure would contribute very much to your 
health as well as to that of my Lady and the children. 
Though in this suggestion I know I consult my own 
satisfaction more than the public interests. I shall 
probably stay a considerable time in this town or 
hereabouts, and should be overjoyed to hear you were 
on this side the Alps. I writ to you when I was at 
Paris, at Lyons, at Turin, and at Genoa, at each of 
which places I made a considerable stay. I long to 
see a line from you. When you do me that favour 
pray be particular, and rather with respect to domestic 
than public affairs. I can read in the Gazette that 
the Bishop of Raphoe is made Primate, and the Lord 
Chancellor under the displeasure of the Commons; 
but it says nothing of my Lady's health, your son's 
learning, your daughter's beauty, Mrs Parker's being 
married, Mrs Bering's being recovered of the gout, 



PERCIVAL TO BERKELEY 135 

or Mrs Percival's breeding, or Mr Dering's getting a 
good employment. If you send your letter to the 
Secretary's office in London to be enclosed in my 
Lord Peterborough's pacquet, or (in case there be a 
ship coming from Dublin to Leghorn) direct it for me, 
to be left at the English consul's here, it will come 
to. my hands. 

I am, S"^, 

Yr most hum^^ & affec' Serv', 

G. Berkeley. 



Percival to Berkeley. 

London, 8^^ Aprils 17 14. 

Since I came hither I received both your letters 
from Lyons and Genoa, and am sincerely glad to 
hear that travelling agrees with your inclinations and 
health. The instances you give me of the effects 
of tyranny in France and popery in Italy are so very 
extraordinary that I cannot but cry out with Cato : O 
Liberty! O my country! and add, O happy Englishmen, 
who may own without offence to God or man, that 
princes and priests are like men with themselves. 
What is more deplorable than to see a prince reduce 
even the minds of his subjects to such a degree of 
slavery, that they shall affect by a sort of impious wit 
to pay devotion with their flattery, and raise their king 
to a god, by making processions before his statue. 
What more unhappy than that a people should leave 
that important affair, the salvation of their souls, to the 
guidance of a man, who to support his pretensions to 
infallibility, makes fools of mankind, and deprives 
them of the chiefest happiness a reasonable creature 
can aspire to, free exercise of the understanding. 
Their shewing you at Genoa an Hebrew for an 



136 BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 

English book, is of a piece with another instance 
which I was witness of at Bologna, where in a gallery 
belonging to a convent (I think of Austin Friars) one 
of their Order shewed me the head of Fryar Bacon, 
who, said he, was one of the most eminent reformers 
under Henry VIII. 

Now to write you of my family, in a word, they are 
all well as far as I know, for I left the two girls in 
Ireland. Of news, I have only this to say, there is 
an outcry against the Ministry that they design to 
bring the Pretender in, and so great is the persuasion 
that due care has not been taken of the succession by 
law established, that peers and commons fall daily off. 
Lord Anglesea, Abington, Cartwright, a Bishop of 
York, and others have followed my Lord Notting- 
ham's steps, and my Lord Treasurer cannot hold long 
the staff. The other day the Lords voted an address 
that by proclamation a price might be put on the 
Pretender's head, in case he ever set foot on her 
Majesty's dominions. 

I am, &c. 

J. Percival. 



D^ S^ 



Berkeley to Percival. 

Leghorn, F< i/aj/-, 1714- 



Since my last to you dated from this town, 
I have had an opportunity of seeing Pisa, Lucca, 
Pistoria, Florence &c. But I have not seen anything 
that should make me desirous to live out of England 
or Ireland. The descriptions that we find in the Latin 
poets make me expect Elysian fields and the golden 
age in Italy. But in my opinion England is a more 
poetical country, the spring there is forwarder and 



BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 137 

lasts longer, purling streams are more numerous, and 
the fields and groves have a cheerfuller green, the only 
advantage here, is, in point of air, which as you know 
is warmer and dryer than with us, though I doubt 
whether it be generally more wholesome. 

There is here together in a family about a dozen of 
my Lord's domestics, among whom is the secretary 
(an Italian) and myself. Last week I received a letter 
from my Lord, dated at Palermo. He talks of coming 
soon to Leghorn. We have so long waited the vessel 
that brings the coaches and equipage, that (though it 
be now arrived here) yet I doubt whether we shall 
have a public entry in Sicily. As my Lord is Pleni- 
potentiary to all the Courts in Italy, I know not 
whither we shall go next. I wish it may be home- 
wards. I have already seen enough to be satisfied, 
that England has the most learning, the most riches, 
the best government, the best people, and the best 
religion in the world. Amongst two thousand clergy- 
men that are reckoned in this town, I do not hear of 
any one man of letters worth making an acquaintance 
with. The people here are much dissatisfied with the 
hard government of the Grand Duke. The family 
of the Medici is now on the point of being extinct, 
and they know not to whom they shall be next a prey. 
But in that matter they are easy, being sure they 
cannot fall into worse hands. 

This letter I suppose will find you at London, 
where I hope to see you together with my Lady, and 
Mrs Parker, to whom pray give my humblest respects. 

I am, S', 

Yr most humble 

& most obed. Serv', 

G. Berkeley. 



138 BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 



D-^ S^ 



Berkeley to Percival. 

Paris, 13^/^ July, 17 14. 



I am just come from Mr Southwell, who told 
me the joyful news of your being in London and my 
Lady being delivered of a son. As I have a sensible 
pleasure in all your good fortune I could not defer 
congratulating with you on that happy event till my 
seeing you, which I hope will be very soon. Nothing 
could have pleased me more than the hearing of your 
family's being in London, with a purpose of continuing 
there twelve months. I am sure it will be a strong 
motive for doing so too. I parted with my Lord Peter- 
borough at Genoa, where I embarked with Mr Moles- 
worth the late envoy at Florence, and the Col. his 
brother, and have had a very pleasant journey in their 
company to Paris, where I came about three days 
agone. My Lord took post for Turin, and thence 
designed passing over the Alps and so through Savoy 
and France in his way to England. 

I have here met with an Irish gentleman of my 
acquaintance who designs returning to England through 
Flanders and Holland: being glad of an opportunity to 
see those countries, I have taken a place in the Brussels' 
coach with him. We are to set out next week. 

I know not whether you received my letters from 
Paris, Lyons, Turin, Genoa, Leghorn, Florence, last 
month. I received one of yours dated in Nov"" last, 
being then in Italy, whence I answered it. I shall 
trouble you with no more at present, but with my 
humble respects to my Lady and Mrs Parker, 

I am, D^ S^ 

Y"" most humb'* 

& affec' Serv', 

G. Berkeley. 



BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 139 



My Lord, 



Berkeley to Percival. 

London, b^^ July, 1715. 



I am in hopes that this letter will find your 
Lordship and my Lady safe arrived in Dublin. Things 
have been pretty much at a stand here since your 
departure. This by many is imputed to the difficulty 
which the Duke of Shrewsbury's^ case gave the im- 
peaching party. If this be all, the difficulty is now 
over, that peer being displaced from his office of 
Lord Chamberlain, which speaks him deserted by the 
Court. It had indeed been hard that a person who 
was deep in the late measures, and concluded the peace 
with France, should be employed and favoured at 
Court, whilst others against whom nothing appears lie 
under a disgrace, e.g. Lord Peterborough. 

I promised your Lordship some Tory news, not 
doubting but that you are sufficiently furnished with 
Whig reports by other hands. But the truth is I hear 
little news at present to be depended on. People 
speak uncertainly, and seem to be in a suspense. As 
to my own opinion, men seem tired of baiting one 
another, the spirit of party begins to cool among us, 
and in a little time there is hopes we may be a quiet 
and united people. I am persuaded a little address at 
this juncture might make the Tories all what they ought 
to be, true friends to the King, which would put an 
end to our fears, but this advice must come from 
cooler heads than those who advise infringing Charters 
of Universities for the extravagances and crimes of a 
few young lads. I need not tell you what I hint at. 
You know what hath passed with regard to our Uni- 
versity better than myself. All I can say is that the 
thing is represented here much to the disadvantage 

^ [Duke of Shrewsbury (1660 — 1718) of whom Swift says the 'finest 
gentleman we have.'] 



I40 BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 

of the Court, and I am credibly informed that Oxford 
and Cambridge are both alarmed at it. 

Of late I have had some symptoms of a return of 
my ague, but am now upon the point of going to 
Gloucestershire, for about a fortnight or three weeks, 
which will I hope entirely cure me. Mrs Parker and 
Mr Phill are both, as I suppose you know, much 
better than when you left them. For the rest, all 
friends are as well as could be expected in your and 
my Lady's absence. For my own part I comfort 
myself with the thought that I shall see you soon there 
or here. In the meantime I am. 

My Lord, 

Y"^ Lordship's 

Most obedient and most 

Obliged Servant, 

G. Berkeley. 



My Lord, 



Berkeley to Percival. 

Flaxley, /u/_y 2Sf\ 1715. 



I have now spent about a fortnight in 
Gloucestershire in a very agreeable place, and with 
the most entertaining company that I know out of 
your family, and propose going to London next week. 
The news of that place I doubt not you are well in- 
formed of. But I may perhaps give you some account 
of riots in the neighbouring counties, Worcester, Stafford 
&c. the particulars whereof are not published in the 
papers. A servant of the Lady with whom I am, 
having gone to receive some money at Bromingham, 
gives a dismal relation of tumults there. He says 



BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 141 

there have been twenty eight of the rioters slain. He 
saw seven of their bodies lying unburied in the fields. 
There are likewise eight of the principal Dissenters 
missed. He met in one squadron above five hundred 
rioters in a field. And says that being in the town of 
Bromingham he saw a man on horseback ride through 
the streets with a horn, which he publicly sounded to 
raise the mob, whereof four thousand immediately 
got together and joined him. They obliged the con- 
stable who at first came to seize the horseman to go 
with them and join in pulling down a meeting-house. 
Of a great number of meeting-houses there are now 
but three left standing in Worcestershire and Stafford- 
shire. In a neighbouring town he says the Dissenters, 
who guarded the meeting-house with firearms, got one 
of the Tory mob, and upon his refusing to curse 
Dr Sacheverel they slit his mouth from ear to ear, and 
gave him other wounds of which he died, and that this 
hath terribly incensed the riotry and increased their 
numbers. That an eminent Presbyterian's son is now in 
gaol at Bromingham for having proffered sixty pounds 
to some fellows to pull down the meeting-house, and 
that a Dissenter assured him that he himself doubted 
these insurrections were at bottom set on foot and 
favoured by Whigs for a pretence to ruin the Tory 
party. Whether this be so or no, God knows. But 
I can tell you of my own knowledge that the mob of 
Gloucester would have pulled down the meeting-house 
there, if they had not been dissuaded by the principal 
Tories of that town, who use all possible methods to 
keep them quiet, as knowing these riots can in no wise 
advantage their cause. It is said there are above 
twenty thousand men of Bromingham and the parts 
adjacent ready to take arms against the Government 
if there was any one to head them. This falls out the 
more unluckily because of the vast number of firearms 
and all sorts of weapons which make the great trade of 
that town, it is the opinion of most people that the 
nation is ready to break out into a flame, and to do 



142 BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 

the Tories justice (with whom I principally converse 
here) they express an honest detestation of these pro- 
ceedings, as I hope I need not tell you I do myself. 
This with my humble respects to my Lady is all I shall 
trouble you with at this time. 

My Lord, 

Y' Lordship's most obed' 

& most obliged Serv', 

Geo. Berkeley, 



My Lord, 



Berkeley to Percival. 

London, Aug. ()tk^ 171s- 



I am now to thank your Lordship for the 
favour of two letters which I received since my coming 
to town. I will endeavour to return it by sending you 
an account of such news as is current here. Mr Kenedy, 
secretary to the Duke of Ormond, and Col. Butler, 
uncle to the Lord Ikerrin, were both seized at Dover 
as they were going to the Duke. They have been 
before the Council and are released from custody. 

The High-gate cobbler was whipped on Thursday 
last, and notwithstanding the Act against riots, there 
was a mob of several thousands got together on the 
occasion, who threatened to pull the executioner to 
pieces in case he did not perform his office gently. 

I hear my Lord Peterborough left the Kingdom on 
Friday last with the King's pass. I do not know the 
occasion, having had no discourse with his Lordship 
since my coming to town. On the same day articles 
of high treason and high crimes and high misdemeanors 
against the Duke of Ormond were exhibited and agreed 
to in the House of Commons, They are six in number, 



BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 143 

in substance as follows : Acting against orders. Corre- 
sponding with the enemy. Not concurring in the 
siege of Quesnoy. Informing M. Villars what foreign 
troops withdrew with him. Advising the Queen to 
disappoint the Dutch in their design on Newport and 
Furnes. Imposing on her Majesty by a double letter 
to Lord Bolingbroke. I was in the house during part 
of the debate. General Lumley made a long speech 
in defence of the Duke, shewed that what he did was 
pursuant to orders, and that had it been his own case, 
he would have followed the same measures. Mr Spencer 
Cooper in answer alleged that the orders were not 
valid, as not having been signed by the Queen, and 
added that if Lumley had done the same things he 
should have met with the same fate. Mr Bromley 
spoke much in honour of his Grace, and in the close of 
his speech said that the Duke's noble qualities had 
endeared him to all the nation, except those who envied 
him the having those qualities which they themselves 
wanted. He was answered with great warmth by Lord 
Coningsby. Those who spoke against the Duke insisted 
on his flight into France, upon which the speaker 
interposed saying that was a point that did not appear 
to the house and which they were not to take notice of. 
Mr Bromley added that flight was no certain argument 
of guilt, and instanced Lord Clarendon and the Earl of 
Danby, who formerly withdrew themselves (as he said), 
not out of guilt but from the violence of the times. 
Several others spoke, but some Lord appearing in the 
gallery we were all ordered to withdraw. Upon the 
division on the first article, the Tories left the house. 
The reason assigned for the Duke of Montrose's lay- 
ing down is that the Duke of Argyle got himself made 
Lord Lieutenant of that shire where his interest and 
estate lay. It is said Lord Hay will succeed him. 
Lord Oxford continues very ill in the tower. I have 
it from a good hand that the court have discovered an 
association amongst several great men here to bring 
over the Pretender. It is talked too that the French 



144 BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 

king is to dismiss all the Scotch and Irish forces in his 
service, and to give them six months pay as a reward 
for past service. And that one Fitzgerald an Irish 
merchant at St Malo's will furnish four men of war 
at his own charges. A little time will shew what there 
is in these reports. 

What your Lordship observes that the clergy should 
open their mouths as well as eyes is certainly very just. 
For my part I think it my duty to disclaim perjury and 
rebellion on all occasions. Nothing surely can give a 
deeper wound to the church than that her pretended 
sons should be guilty of such foul practices. What 
advantage some great men here out of employ may 
purpose from the Pretender's coming among us, they 
best know ; but it is inconceivable what shadow of an 
advantage an Irish Protestant can fancy to himself 
from such a revolution. 

I cannot well leave this country for Ireland before 
next month, when I hope to find you there. I cannot 
imagine why they should murmur at my absence in 
the College, considering all the persons absent. I am 
the only one who has the royal authority to be so. 
Not to mention that I am no Senior Fellow, nor con- 
sequently concerned in the material part of governing 
the College. 

The other day when I saw the children they were 
very well, except Philly who is much worn away. 
Mr Bligh lost his son last Saturday. 

My humble respects to my Lady. I am, 

My Lord, 

Your Lordship's 

most obedient humb. 
Servant, 

G. Berkeley. 



BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 145 



My Lord, 



Berkeley to Percival. 

London, August 18^^, 171 5. 



This is to inform you of two remarkable 
pieces of news that I heard this day. The French 
King^ is either dead or at least past hopes of recovery, 
of which an express from Lord Stairs has brought 
advice this morning, gangrene having begun in the leg 
and thigh of that Prince. What I am further to tell 
you is that the rumour of the Pretender's invasion is re- 
vived and credited more than ever. And indeed it does 
not seem improbable that the Anjou-faction in France 
should incline to give England a diversion at this junc- 
ture to prevent their assisting the Duke of Orleans in 
his claim to the Regency. My Lord Mar's, S"" William 
Wyndham's, S"" Thomas Hanmer's and several others 
withdrawing into the country seems to strengthen the 
suspicion. At least I know it strengthens the hopes 
of the only Jacobite I am acquainted with here. 

If this news prove true, and the Tories openly 
engage in the attempt, I shall think them guilty of as 
barefaced perjury and dishonesty as ever could be 
imputed to any set of men. 

I am very sorry to hear of my Lady's illness. 
I hope it is only what owes it original to you. The 
most comfortable prospect I have in Ireland is that 
I shall find her Ladyship and you there. 

I am, 

My Lord, 

Y"" Lordship's most 

affect, humble Serv', 

G. Berkeley. 

1 [Louis XIV died on the ist of September, 171 5.] 
R. 10 



146 BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 

Berkeley to Percival. 

London, September 8'''', 171 5. 

My Lord, 

I agree with your Lordship that there never 
was a more important juncture, or that justified a 
curiosity after news more than the present. It was 
my province to inform you what the Tories say. 
For Whig news, I doubt not, you have enough from 
other hands. They say then that Col. Paul, who you 
must have heard is committed to Newgate, was always 
known to be a Whig, and consequently is innocent of 
what is laid to his charge. They add that the Serjeant, 
his accuser, is a noted villain, who suffered thirteen years 
imprisonment in Dublin on account of former crimes, 
and so not to be depended on. But notwithstanding 
all this, the discovery of many others engaged in the 
same black design makes me think him guilty, which 
seems more probable because I am assured he is a silly 
man, and one likely to be prevailed on by the hopes of 
commanding the second battalion of guards, which is 
said was promised him by the Pretender. There could 
not certainly have been a more subtle and mischievous 
project set on foot by the Jacobites, and I doubt it has 
spread further than is commonly imagined : I mean 
tampering with the soldiers and new levies. This 
occasions my calling to mind what I observed about 
a fortnight agone. As I walked through S' James's 
park, there was an odd looking fellow in close con- 
ference with one of the sentinels. I heard him mention 
the words, hereditary right; and think the entire sentence 
was : But sure y OIL are for hereditary right. I observe 
likewise that the few I suspect for Jacobites are not 
so dispirited or desperate, as the late accident of the 
French King's death and the succession of the Duke 
of Orleans in the Regency would incline one to think 
they should be. Add to this the general ferment in 
men's mind, the artifice with which it is kept up by 
those that wish ill to the present establishment, and 
the indiscretion of some of its well wishers, which 



BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 147 

perhaps may no less contribute to the same effect, and 
our prospect must seem very dismal. I once little 
imagined that any considerable number of Church of 
England-men could be moved either by passion or 
interest to so wicked an undertaking as that must be 
which includes both rebellion and perjury. For my 
part I condemn both them and their practices. 

The best of it is, that the vigilant measures taken 
at Court and the perfect seeming good disposition of 
France gives hopes that any impious design to embroil 
the nation may be soon defeated and turned on the 
heads of the contrivers. There is now a strict inquiry 
making into the characters of all persons in the army, 
private men as well as officers. And tomorrow the 
Duke of Argyle, Duke of Roxburgh, and Lord Suther- 
land are to set out for Scotland. There must have 
been some pressing reason for this, it having been 
much against the inclination and endeavours of the 
Duke of Argyle. The Bishop of Bristol assured me 
the other day that the Court expect the Duke of 
Orleans would, in case of need, supply them with forces 
against the Pretender. And I myself have seen two 
letters, one from the Duke Regent, the other from the 
new King of France to the Prince of Wales, containing 
assurance of friendship and affection. 

I reckon it is no news to tell you the two pretty 
children are well and grow every day more like their 
mother and father, that is more pretty and wise. 
Mrs Parker is well. Mr Dering goes this day to 
meet his mother at Chester. 

Argyle and Sutherland set out today. 

I am. 
My Lord, 

Y" Lordship's most 
humble and most 
affec' Serv', 
G. Berkeley. 



148 BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 

Berkeley to Percival. 

London, September 22«^, 171 5. 

My Lord, 

We are in a very 111 condition, the rage and 
resentment of the Tories having at length broke out 
into an open flame. You are I doubt not already well 
informed of this. Be pleased however to take things 
as I hear them. The Rebellion in Scotland is differently 
represented as to the force and number of the rebels. 
Some reckon twenty eight thousand, others seventeen 
thousand, and others ten thousand. The last account 
came three days ago by an express from the Duke of 
Argyle, who complains much of the disparity of numbers, 
having only fifteen hundred to oppose ten thousand 
that were then come within thirty miles of Edin- 
burgh, and designed proclaiming the Pretender at 
Dundee, yesterday was sennight. The Duke was then 
in suspense whether he should retire towards Berwick, 
or intrench near Stirling. The unhappy misunder- 
standing between our Courtiers, particularly the Duke 
of Marlborough and Argyle, prevents the Court from 
forming any resolute judgment on these informations, 
many being of an opinion that Argyle magnifies the 
force of the rebels with a design to oppose and distress 
the Duke of Marlborough, who is they say of a humour 
inclined to starve any service wherein he is not em- 
ployed himself. On the other hand other well wishers 
of the King are afraid the Duke of Marlborough's 
jealousy might make him propose such measures as 
may destroy the Duke of Argyle. Thus as in most 
other cases the public is neglected while ministers 
pursue and indulge their private piques and passions. 

This account you may depend on for I had It from 
a very good hand who knows the Court, and whose 
interest and inclinations engage him to be heartily 
zealous for the King's safety. We are informed that 
the rebels increase daily, that they have seized and 
plundered the custom house of Leith, and that they 



BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 149 

have taken three companies of the King's forces, the 
major part whereof have listed under them. They 
have with them the Generals Dillon and Hamilton, 
and some say the Duke of Berwick. Expresses come 
to Court thick one upon another, and their being kept 
secret makes one suspect they bring no good news. 
But the worst sign of all is the cheerful insolent be- 
haviour of the Jacobites, and the downcast melancholy 
looks of the Loyal party, which last was very observ- 
able yesterday in the House of Commons. It is not 
doubted that the rebels will march directly into Eng- 
land, and then it is very much feared that there will be 
a general insurrection in all parts of the land. It is 
this general bent of the people towards Jacobitism, that 
occasions the raising of so few forces at home, which 
might prove to be raising the King's enemies. How- 
ever, this is certain, that Brigadier Preston is sent into 
Holland to demand the ten thousand soldiers which 
they were to furnish by the Barrier treaty, and they 
talk here of listing several thousand French refugees 
under Lord Galloway. Yesterday the Lords Lands- 
downe and Duplin were seized here ; Lord Jersey was 
likewise sought for, but made his escape. There are 
warrants said to be issued for the seizing twenty Lords 
more, and six Commoners. 

I wish your Lordship, my Lady and a dozen more 
friends safe at Mascarenes out of this corrupt part of 
the world, where the resentment, the perjury, and 
breach of faith of one side, and the private piques and 
interested views of the other, are in a fair way of 
ruining our King and country, if Providence does not 
interpose in a manner we nowise deserve. It is believed 
the Pretender is in England. 

I am, My Lord, 

Y" Lordship's most 
Obedt and affect, 
humble Servant, 

G. Berkeley. 



150 BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 



My Lord, 



Berkeley to Percival. 

London, 26'/' Sept. 17 15. 



My last, according to the intelligence I then 
had, gave you a dismal prospect of our affairs. This 
is to make amends by assuring you there is ground to 
hope that all the bloodshed and desolation which then 
threatened us will be prevented by the discovery the 
Court has made of the persons and designs of the 
conspirators. 

Mr Harvey of Combe, a man of 7000 pounds a year, 
has been taken up and examined before a Committee 
of Council. At first he spoke resolutely and denied 
all that he was charged with, but upon Lord Towns- 
hend's producing his own handwriting he was struck 
dumb, and being sent away in custody of a messenger 
he soon after stabbed himself with a penknife in three 
places. I hear that Lord Nottingham, his uncle, was 
with him today, and that he seemed desirous to live, 
but it is thought, if he be not dead already, that he 
will soon die of his wounds. 

You have heard that Sir William Wyndham made 
his escape out of the hands of a messenger ; there is a 
report about town that he is again taken, but I do not 
find it gains credit. It was rumoured likewise yesterday 
that a warrant was issued out to apprehend the Bishop 
of Rochester, but I hear nothing of it since. Lord 
Duplin is in the hands of a messenger. Lord Lands- 
downe is committed to the tower. Our great security 
is that the Duke of Orleans seems steady to the interest 
of the King, and that our last advices from Lord Stairs 
bring assurances of the Pretender's continuing still at 
Bar-le-duc. 

For my part I see no hopes for him or his preten- 
sions. His shyness in point of danger will sacrifice 
them, and their being sacrificed will discourage others 



BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 151 

from rising in his favour. What better could be hoped 
from so wicked management ; but the most lamentable 
evil is the great dishonour they have done to the 
Church and religion by public perjury and rebellion. 

This is so clear and plain a case now, that no honest 
man can pretend to justify them. 

It is very late and I have only time to say I am, 

My Lord, 

Y' Lordsp's most 
obed' and affec' 
humble Servant, 

Geo. Berkeley. 

My humble respects to my Lady. I suppose I 
need tell you Mrs Bering is recovered, and that 
Mrs Parker and the children are well. 



My Lord, 



Berkeley to Percival. 

London, 20^^ October^ 1715. 



I have but little inclination to write to your 
Lordship at present upon politics : the scene every day 
opening and discovering new cause to apprehend a 
popish power, and all the dismal consequences of it. 
You will therefore excuse me if I am backward to be 
the messenger of ill news. In a late letter to you 
I was of opinion we had no more to fear from the 
intended conspiracy. But things have since taken 
a different turn from what I then expected. 

The rebellion in Northumberland is said to be two 
thousand men strong and daily increasing. It is not 
doubted that as many more have passed the Firth under 
General Hamilton. The Court indeed gives them out 



152 BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 

to be a thousand only, but the other account is most 
credited. The Dutch forces, which I thought would 
set all things right, are not likely to be here until the 
game is over. It is at least certain that the Jacobites 
make a jest of them, saying, that if they do come, they 
will prejudice King George's affairs more than any- 
thing that has been done yet. Some say the Dutch 
have been threatened by the Duke of Ormond and 
a certain foreign count in case they furnish us with any 
forces. But whatever the cause is you may depend 
on it, they are not expected here by any body in a 
fortnight. I must own I cannot account for these 
dilatory proceedings. The seizing Lord Landsdowne 
and Sir William Wyndham has not given all the light 
I first imagined. Sir William, when he was asked by 
the Council whether he knew anything of an associa- 
tion, answered that he knew of no association but that 
of the whole nation against the present ministry, upon 
which he was sent to the tower, and this, I know not 
why, is resented by the old Duke of Somerset, his 
father-in-law. It is thought the Duke of Ormond is 
landed in Scotland. In a word the chief cause of my 
apprehensions is the pert confidence of the Jacobites, 
who are now more spirited than ever. 

If my Lady and your Lordship continue thoughts 
of Mascarenes I will gladly become one of your sub- 
jects, for I assure you I ever did and ever shall abhor 
a Popish Government. 

I thought to have seen you before now, but have 
been prevailed with some friends to stay here a little 
upon a prospect of something in England, so that 
I believe I shall see you here again. 

I am, 

Y"* and my Lady's 
Most obed' and most 
humble Serv', 

Geo. Berkeley 



BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 15, 



Berkeley to Percival. 

London, yd November, 17 15. 



My Lord, 



There is a high Tory (which is now reckoned 
the same thing with a Jacobite) of my acquaintance, 
who used to serve me instead of a political weather 
glass. When his spirits were high I concluded our 
affairs went wrong, and the contrary when they were 
low. I never knew him so high in spirit as he was 
when I writ last to your Lordship ; but since that 
time things are altered, and we have now reason to 
thank God that the enemies of our Constitution hang 
down their heads. Whatever I might have appre- 
hended of late, at present I think their game des- 
perate. Your Lordship will be of my mind when 
I tell you that the Duke of Ormond is gone back to 
France, after having lain one night ashore at one 
Cory's in Devonshire. My Lord Stairs has sent to 
Court a letter intercepted from him to the Pretender, 
wherein the Duke tells his pretended Majesty that he 
would embark and make his siofnal on the coast of 
England, which if answered he did not doubt being 
at the head of a body of his subjects able to do him 
justice, otherwise he would be himself the messenger 
of the ill news to his Majesty. In the same letter he 
exhorts the Pretender to be in a readiness to embark in 
case occasion should serve. 

For the future I shall never be scared at the vaunt- 
ings of a few fellows who have all the villany, without 
the sense or courage necessary to carry on a con- 
spiracy. The forces under Lord Mar nobody doubts 
will languish and disperse in a little time. To do my 
Lord Peterborough justice, this was the opinion he 
always declared himself to have of the rebels and their 
project. 

Dr Friend, who got the ^2000 prize in the lottery, 



154 BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 

is disposed to give up a living in the presentation of 
his Lordship. By what I hear he will resign it in a 
few months in which case it may be worth my accept- 
ance. I wish your Lordship a good voyage and hope 
to see you here in less than a month. Two days ago 
I saw the children very well in the Pall Mall, as are 
Mrs Parker and Mr Bering. 

I am, 

My Lord, 

Y' Lordship's most obliged 
& most humble and affect. 
Serv', 

G. Berkeley. 



My Lord, 



Berkeley to Percival. 

London, 17^^ Nov. 1715. 



I wish your Lordship and my Lady Percival 
joy of the victory which his Majesty's forces have gained 
over the rebels in Preston, the particulars whereof the 
newspapers tell you. I hope this blow hath put an 
end to or prevented the calamities we had too much 
cause to apprehend from an obstinate and bloody civil 
war. The want of spirit and conduct in the rebels 
deserves our scorn, as much as the injustice of their 
cause and the mischiefs they were going to involve us 
in did our abhorrence. They seem to have been 
intimidated and struck from heaven, which, it is to 
be hoped, will speedily open the eyes of their ac- 
complices, and teach them their own and the nation's 
true interest. 



BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 155 

I reckon it none of the least misfortunes of these 
troublesome times, that books and literature seem to 
be forgotten, conversation being entirely turned from 
them to more disagreeable and less innocent topics. 
Even the most retired men and who are at the bottom 
of fortune's wheel are too much interested in our 
public broils to be attentive to other things. This 
makes me doubt your application to the classics hath 
been intermitted since your going to Ireland. If it 
hath not and you are at leisure, I would much rather 
correspond with you on the beauties of the Latin 
authors, than on the subject of news of which the 
public papers tell you all that is certain, and for other 
surmises they are hardly worth troubling. But of 
what do I talk, you have perhaps left Dublin 
already. 

I wish you and my Lady a good voyage and 
long to see you safe in London. 

My Lord, 

Your Lordship s 
most obed' and 

most obliged Serv\ 

Geo. Berkeley. 



Berkeley to Pe7%ival. 

London, May, 1716. 



My Lord, 



I am sorry to hear you pass the time so 
pleasantly at Bath. I am afraid it may keep you 
too long from us. However, I hope to see you before 
I go to Ireland, which is likely to be soon, the 
Prince having recommended me to succeed Charles 



156 BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 

Carr in the Living of St Paul's, in Dublin. I suppose you 
have heard that Mr Carr is named to the Bishopric of 
Killaloe, that the Bishop of Killaloe is removed to 
Raphoe, and the Bishop of Raphoe^ to the Arch- 
bishopric of Tuam. The letter from the Prince is 
enclosed and seconded by Mr Secretary Stanhope, so 
that I think it cannot fail of success. The living is 
reckoned to be worth about a hundred a year, but 
I put the greater value on it because it is consistent 
with my Fellowship. 

We had yesterday a very remarkable piece of 
news. An express arrived at Court from Constanti- 
nople with proposals to the King to mediate a peace 
between the Turk and the Venetians. This falls out 
very unexpectedly, and gives some credit to the 
opinions of the Bishop of Worcester, and the rest 
of our expositors who judged it inconsistent with their 
scheme that the Grand Seignior should carry his arms 
any farther westward. 

I hope the waters agree well with my Lady, Mrs 
Parker, and the children. Pray give my humble 
service to them all. 

My Lord, 

Y' Lordship's 

most obed* and most 

affect, humble Serv\ 

G. Berkeley. 

Berkeley to Percival. 

London, May id*^^, 1716. 
My Lord, 

If it be what your Lordship can properly do 
I beg the favour of you to write a letter next post to 
the Duke of Grafton, imparting your acquaintance with 

^ [Edward Synge, supra, p. 95.] 



BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 157 

me, and your confidence of my being well affected to 
his Majesty's Government. Were it necessary I might 
produce several instances of this, as well as from my 
endeavours to serve the present establishment by 
writing, which are more than I care to mention, as 
from the offer I refused in the times of the late 
ministry. I make you this request because I have 
some reasons to think my competitors have wronged 
my character on the other side of the water. The 
government of Ireland have yet made no answer to 
the recommendation of the Prince and Secretary 
Stanhope, which if they refuse to comply with I am 
assured it will be taken very ill. I am likewise told 
that their not complying may prove an advantage to 
me. But be that as it will, I cannot but be solicitous 
to have my character cleared to the Lords Justices 
and others there, who are probably misled by the 
calumny of interested persons who are strangers to me. 

This is all that I desire of your Lordship. As 
for recommending me, or desiring any favour for me 
from his hands, I ask no such thing, because I do not 
think I want it, having been so well recommended 
already. 

Please to give my humble service to Lady Percival 
and Mrs Parker. I am glad to hear from your Lord- 
ship that they and the children are well, and hope to 
see you all in town next week. 

I am. 

My Lord, 

Your Lordship's 

most obedient and most 

affect. Serv', 

G. Berkeley. 



158 PERCIVAL TO DUKE OF GRAFTON 
Per civ al to the Duke of Grafton. 

Bath, 2%^^ May, 171 6. 

My Lord, 

I understand your Grace and my Lord 
Galloway have been writ to by the Prince and Sec- 
retary Stanhope in favour of a very worthy gentleman 
and fellow of Trinity College, Mr Berkeley, that you 
would be pleased to present him to the living of 
St Paul's in Dublin when Mr Carr quits it. I cannot 
doubt but as his learning and character is unexception- 
able your Grace has already entertained a favourable 
disposition towards him. But that you may have a 
better knowledge of him, and bestow your favour with 
greater pleasure, I take this opportunity to assure your 
Grace that I have had many years intimate acquaint- 
ance with him, and know him to be perfectly well 
affected to His Majesty's person and Government, in 
whose service he employed his pen. I know this 
besides, that he refused a considerable offer in the time 
of the late Ministry perhaps your Grace was not 
acquainted with before, but the esteem I have con- 
tracted for this gentleman obliged me to say thus much, 
and I shall myself be very happy if it contributes any- 
thing to your good opinion of him. 

I am &c. 

Percival. 



Ch. Dering to Percival. 

Dublin, i^'^ June, 1716. 
My dearest Lord, 

I received the favour of yours of the 19th 
yesterday, for which and for the enclosed I give you 
a great many thanks. 

I am heartily glad that the Bath agrees with you 
and my Lady so well. 



CH. DERING TO PERCIVAL 159 

I did hear some time ago that Mr Berkeley was to 
succeed Charles Carr in his living of St Paul's, but 
I doubt he will not succeed, the Lords Justices having 
made a strong representation against him, and they 
say one Tirrel is to have that living. 

It is very certain that there has been great disputes 
and divisions among the Whigs this session between 
the Court party and the country one, but the latter 
have not succeeded in any one thing they have 
attempted, but lost everything by a great majority. 
Yesterday they made an effort which I believe will 
be the last this session.... 

&c. 

Charles Dering. 



My Lord, 



Berkeley to Percival. 

TuRiNj ■z\th Nov'', 1716. N.S. 



I did not think it prudent to make reflections 
of the state of France while I was in the country, but 
now I am got out of it I may safely impart my mind 
to your Lordship and assure you that it is in a very 
bad condition : the Regent is generally disliked by 
the people, and his alliance with England has perhaps 
contributed to make him so as much as any other 
article of his conduct. 

The French seemed to have recovered their tongues, 
and speak with a freedom unusual in the late King's 
reign. They scruple not to say the Duke hath done 
more mischief in two, than his predecessor in seventy 
years. They exclaim against the demolition of Mar- 
dyke as a thing dishonourable to their nation ; and 
against his recoining their money as a project that has 
ruined them, and has cut off all correspondence with 



i6o BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 

foreigners who are sure to lose four livres in the pound 
on the present foot of exchange. This project, however, 
hath filled the Regent's coffers by robbing the subjects 
of a fourth part of the money. 

I was assured there appeared a disposition in 
several, as well clergy as laity, to embrace the protestant 
communion. 

We travel with all the ease and convenience 
possible. Mr Ashe is a modest, ingenious, well natured, 
young gentleman, whom the more I know the more I 
esteem, and we have unlimited letters of credit so that we 
want for nothing. I never thought I should pass Mount 
Cenis a second time in winter. But we have now passed 
in a worse condition than it was when I saw it before. 
It blew and snowed bitterly all the time. The snow 
almost blinded us and reached above the waists of the 
men who carried us. They let me fall six or seven 
times, and thrice on the brinks of horrid precipices, 
the snow having covered the path so that it was 
impossible to avoid making false steps. The porters 
assured us they never in their lives had passed the 
mountain in such an ill road and weather. However, 
blessed be God, we arrived safe at Turin two nights 
ago, and design to set out from hence towards Milan 
tomorrow. 

I forgot to tell you that we saw two avalanches of 
snow (as the men called them) on the mountain : 
I mean hugh quantities of snow fallen fromx the side 
and tops of rocks, sufficient to have overwhelmed a 
regiment of men. They told us of fourteen, and about 
fifty mules that were some time since destroyed by an 
accident of that kind. I must not omit another ad- 
venture in Dauphine. A hugh dark coloured Alpine 
wolf ran across an open plain when our chaise was 
passing, when he came near as he turned about and 
made a stand with a very fierce and daring look, 
I instantly drew my sword and Mr Ashe fired his 
pistol. I did the same too, upon which the beast very 
calmly retired looking back ever and anon. We were 



PERCIVAL TO BERKELEY i6i 

much mortified that he did not attack us and give us 
an opportunity of kilHng him. 

The route we design to take is through Milan, 
Parma, Modena, Bologna, Florence, Siena, Rome &c., 
which will be a means of seeing the best part of the 
cities of Italy. We hear of banditti, rivers over- 
flown, mountains covered with snow, and the like 
difficulties in this winter expedition, but our resolution 
is fixed. 

Whatever becomes of me and wherever I am you 
may assure yourself I shall always be most sincerely, 

My Lord, 

Y"" Lordship's most obliged 

and most affect, humble Serv', 

G. Berkeley. 

My humble service to the ladies. 



D^ S^ 



Percival to Berkeley. 

London, ii^-^ Dece7nber, 17 16. 



Your letter from Turin is very pleasing to 
me as it assures me of your having safely passed 
through many dangers and that you find yourself in 
heart and ability to encounter what yet remains before 
your arrival at the wished for resting place. There is 
something resembling between your unpleasant and 
painful journey and a deathbed sickness, which, though 
in itself uncomfortable and terrible, is yet cheerfully 
supported by men of your fortitude, for the prospect of 
that happy region to which it leads, and which restores 
men to their original innocence, as Naples will I hope 
Mr Ashe to his health. 



II 



i62 BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 

The account you gave me of the misery and 
discontents in France is confirmed by many that come 
from thence. An instance of the ill state of their 
commerce is the high exchange from my part of Ireland 
to this place, which I have known at i and ^ at this 
time of year, and now is lo per cent. 

We have had a violent hard frost this week past, 
which prevents us from Holland mails, but I hope it 
will not continue so long as to hinder the King's return 
by the sitting of Parliament, which is to be the 8th of 
next month. 

'Tis so lately that you left us I have little to write 
you of public matters. I believe you will meet the 
public prints when this letter finds you, and they 
contain all that is material to know, besides you are now 
I guess in Naples, where the climate, prospects, villas, 
antiquities, and variety of liberal entertainments, will 
render you very little inquisitive after news, and ought 
to engross all your moments during absence which 
I hope will be but short. I believe therefore I shall 
please you much better if, setting public matters aside, 
I confine myself to let you know that all your friends 
here are well, and especially my small family who 
desire to be remembered to you, and that I am with 
all truth 

Y" affect, friend and hum. Serv', 



Percival. 



My hum. service to Mr Ashe. 



My Lord, 



Berkeley to Percival. 

Rome, H'' March, 17^^/17. 



It is with a great deal of pleasure that I hear 
my Lady hath been safely delivered of a daughter. 
I wish you and her Ladyship joy of this happy event, 
and hope it may facilitate your projected journey into 



BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 163 

these parts this summer. I can give you no tempta- 
tions to effect this design so long talked of, but what 
you know by your own experience better than I can 
possibly describe them to you. The climate, the 
music, the pictures, the palaces &c. are things so 
enchanting that I am afraid if my Lady sees them she 
will be more backward to return than ever she was to 
come abroad. 

Though I would not pretend to inform you of any- 
thing to be seen in Italy, yet a picture in the gallery of 
the Duke of Parma, at Parma, may possibly have escaped 
your observation. I mean the original of your Danae, 
which is esteemed one of the finest pieces that ever 
Titian did. We have staid at Rome much longer than 
we intended, being constrained partly by the extreme 
rigour of the season for about three weeks together, and 
since that by the illness of our valet de chambre. As 
soon as ever he can travel we design for Naples where 
I long to be. I have got eyes but no ears. I would 
say that I am a judge of painting though not of music. 
Cardinal Ottoboni has let off his entertainments, and 
Prince Rospoli is the man who now gives music every 
week to strangers, where I am sure to fall asleep as 
constantly as 1 go. Perhaps when I reach Naples I 
may be able to tell you of something you have not seen. 

In the meantime give me leave to inform you 
of a piece of secret history that I learned the other 
night from one who I doubt not knew the truth, and 
I have reason to think told it me. In England there 
are now seven hundred clergymen in all of the 
Church of Rome, of which one hundred Jesuits, 
three hundred priests, and the rest friars of several 
orders. In Wales there are 50 clergy, in the west 10, 
in the north 200. In London and the environs 150, 
of which in London 20 Jesuits, 12 Benedictines, 5 
Capuchins, 3 Carmelites. The Jesuits have at least 
^8000 a year terra firma in England (some say 
^30000). The secular priests have ^3000 per annum. 
The number of Papists in England is 70000. 



i64 BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 

Pray give my humble service to my Lady, Mrs 
Parker, Mrs Bering (whose health I should gladly be 
informed of), Mrs Minshull and Mr Bering, with the 
rest of those friends who are so good as to remember me. 

I am, My Lord, 

Your Lordship's most 

obliged and most 

humble Servant, 

G. Berkeley. 



My Lord, 



Berkeley to Percival. 

Naples, 6^^^ Aprils 1717. 



I know not whether I ought to reckon it to 
your good or ill fortune that when you were abroad 
you missed seeing the Kingdom of Naples. This in 
itself one of the worst accidents and disappointments 
of your life may become by prudent management a 
great piece of good fortune to you and your whole 
family. I mean, in case it should be the occasion of 
your wisely resolving to visit again the regions on this 
side the Alps, and bring them with you. Your Lord- 
ship hath many motives of pleasure to invite you to 
home ; but I have now solid reasons for bringing you 
further southward. The health of all that is most dear 
to you, my Lady and the pretty children, and yourself 
depend on it. The air of this happy part of the world 
is soft and delightful beyond conception, being per- 
fumed with myrtle shrubs and orange groves, that are 
everywhere scattered throughout the country ; the sky 
almost constantly serene and blue ; the heat tempered 
to a just warmth by refreshing breezes from the sea. 



BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 165 

Nor will this serene and warmth of the climate have a 
better effect on the spirits, than the balsamine particles 
of sulphur which you breathe with the common air will 
have on your blood, correcting those sharp scorbutic 
humours that molest the inhabitants of these bleak 
islands. If enchanting prospects be a temptation, surely 
there are not more and finer anywhere than here, rude 
mountains, fruitful hills, shady vales, and green plains, 
with all the variety of sea as well as land. Prospects 
are the natural ornaments of this Kingdom. Nullus in 
orbe sinus Baiis praelucet amoenis'^ was the opinion of 
one who had a very good taste. It would fill a volume 
to describe the wonders of nature and antiquity that 
adorn that whole coast. Every hill, rock, promontory, 
creek, and island, is sung by Homer and Virgil, and 
renowned as well for having been the scene of the 
travels of Ulysses and Aeneas as for having been the 
delicious retreat of all the great men among the Romans, 
whenever they with-drew from the fatigue of public 
affairs. The Campania felecie is a different scene ; 
but surely nothing can be more beautiful than the wild 
Apennine on one hand and the boundless plain without 
enclosures on the other covered with a most deligfhtful 
verdure and crowned with fruit trees scattered so thinly 
as not to hinder the prospect of the wide-extended 
green fields. Here grew the famous Falernian wine, 
and in the same plain stands the once famous city of 
Capua whose pleasures were destructive to Hannibal. 
To describe the antiquities and natural curiosities of 
these places would perhaps seem tedious to you, and 
I would not forestall the pleasure you will take in 
seeing them yourself. 

It may be perhaps a more prevailing tune with my 
Lady, the informing you that there is here a very 
numerous nobility, who think of nothing but how to 
amuse themselves agreeably, and are very civil in 
admitting strangers to share with them in their enter- 
tainments of music and refreshments, though to say the 

1 [Horace, Epistles^ I. i. 83.] 



i66 BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 

truth they are not the politest people in the world. 
Today I had the honour to dine with three Princes, 
besides half a dozen Counts and Dukes, the first nobility 
in the land, and I assure you it was not without some 
surprise that I found myself to be one of the politest 
persons at table. You will believe me disinterested 
and sincere in what I have said, when I tell you that 
I cannot propose to myself the happiness of seeing you 
here during my own stay in this country. 

My humblest respects to my Lady, Mrs Parker and 
the rest of our friends. 

My Lord, 

Y' Lordship's 

Most obed' humble Serv', 

G. Berkeley. 



My Lord, 



Berkeley to Percival. 

'i^AViM'S,^ June i2>^^, 1717. 



I am lately returned from a tour through the 
most remote and unknown parts of Italy. 

The celebrated cities your Lordship is perfectly 
acquainted with. But perhaps it may be new to you 
to hear that the most beautiful city in Italy lies in a 
remote corner of the heel. Lecce (the ancient Aletium) 
is the most luxuriant in all ornaments of architecture of 
any town that I have seen. The meanest houses are 
built of hewn stone, have ornamented doors, rustics. 
Doric, Corinthian, are ornaments about the windows, 
and balustrades of stone. I have not in all Italy seen 
so fine convents. The general fault is they run into a 
superfluity of ornaments. The most predominant are 
the Corinthian, which order is much affected by the 



BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 167 

inhabitants, being used in the gates of their city, which 
are extremely beautiful. 

The town being inland and consequently without 
trade hath not above 16000 inhabitants. They are a 
civil polite people, and seem to have among them some 
remains of the delicacy of the Greeks who of old 
inhabited these parts of Italy. 

You know that in most cities of Italy the palaces 
indeed are fine, but the ordinary houses of an indifferent 
gusto. 'Tis so even in Rome, whereas in Lecce there 
is a general good gout, which descends down to the 
poorest houses. I saw many other remarkable towns, 
amongst the rest five fair cities in one day, the most 
part built of white marble, whereof the names are not 
known to Englishmen. The season of the year {which 
was much more moderate than I expected) together 
with the various beautiful landscapes throughout Apulia, 
Peucetia, and the old Calabria, made this journey very 
agreeable. Nor should I pass over the antiquities 
that we saw in Brundisium, Tarentum, Venusia (where 
Horace was born), Cannae famous for the great victory 
obtained by Hannibal, and many other places, in all 
which we were stared at like men dropt from the sky, 
and sometimes followed by a numerous crowd of citizens, 
who out of curiosity attended us through the streets. 
The fear of bandits which hinders strangers from visiting 
these curiosities is a mere bugbear. 

Upon my return to Naples I found Vesuvius in a 
terrible fit which is not yet over. 

I beg your Lordship to let me know what way you, 
my Lady, and Mrs Parker design to take, that I may 
continue to meet you in our return. My humble service 
to them. 

I am, , 

Yr Lordship's most obed' Serv', 
G. Berkeley. 



i68 BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 

Berkeley to PercivaL 

Testaccio in the Island Inorine, 
I Septeinbe}- N.S. 1717. 

My Lord, 

Your Lordship's letter found me very ill in 
the Island Inorine, a remote corner of the world where 
we have now spent three months. When we go to 
Naples or Rome I shall make it my business to pro- 
vide the prints &c., there being nothing more agreeable 
to me than your Lordship's commands. My illness, a 
flux, after about six weeks continuance, hath now quite 
left me, and in a better state of health than it found 
me. I am thank God very well. 

Though your Lordship is well acquainted with other 
parts of Italy perhaps you may be a stranger to the 
Island Inorine (now vulgarly called Ischia). It is 
situate about six leagues from the city of Naples to the 
southwest : about eighteen miles in circuit, containing 
sixteen thousand souls, the air temperate and whole- 
some, the soil extremely fertile. Apples, pears, plums, 
and cherries, are not worth the naming, besides apricots, 
peaches, almonds, figs, pomegranates, and many other 
fruits that have no English names, together with vines, 
wheat, and Indian corn, cover almost every spot in 
the Island. The fruit lying everywhere exposed with- 
out enclosures makes the country look like one great 
fruit garden, except some parks which are covered with 
chestnut groves and others that produce nothing but 
thickets of myrtle. Nothing can be conceived more 
romantic than the forces of nature, mountains, hills, 
vales, and little plains, being thrown together in a wild 
and beautiful variety. The hills are most of them 
covered to the top with vines, of which you will believe 
there is a prodigious abundance in the Island, when 
I assure you there are no less than sixty thousand 
hogsheads of wine made every year in so small a spot. 
Here are also mountains very high, having towns and 



BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 169 

villages on their sides placed in steep situations one 
above another, and making a very odd prospect. And 
though the roads among the hills are often steep and 
unequal, yet the asses of the Island (the only voiture 
used here) carry us everywhere without danger. We 
have two considerable towns or cities, one of which 
contains six thousand souls : the rest are villages. The 
houses are real and lasting, being everywhere built of 
lime and stone, flat roofed. 

As riches and honours have no footing here, the 
people are unacquainted with the vices that attend 
them, but in lieu thereof they have got an ugly habit of 
murdering one another for trifles. The second night 
after our coming to the Island a youth of 18 years was 
shot dead by our door ; but we have had several 
instances of the like since that in several parts of the 
Island. Last year thirty six murders were compounded 
for by the Governour ; the life of man being rated at 
ten ducats. 

In old times Inorine was inhabited by a Grecian 
colony from the Euboea. And Hiero, King of Syra- 
cuse, resided here some years, but the volcanoes and 
eruptions of fire in several parts of the Island obliged 
the ancient inhabitants to quit it. We see the remains 
of these eruptions in many places, which gave occasion 
to the poets feigning that Typhoeus lay under it : 

Inorine J ovis imperils inposta Typhoeo. 

Virg. Aen. ix. 716. 

My humble service to my Lady, Mrs Parker, 
Miss Kitty, Master Johnny, the little stranger, Mrs 
Bering, Miss Minshull, Dan. Bering, Ch. Bering, the 
two Mr Shutes, Sir Bavid, &c. I writ a long letter to 
Ban. Bering but never had an answer. Mr Ashe 
gives his humble service to your Lordship. 

My Lord, 

Your Lordship's most 

obliged &c., 

G. Berkeley. 



I70 BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 



My Lord, 



Berkeley to Percival. 

Rome, 26^^^ April, 17 18. 



Upon my arrival here I had the good fortune 
to meet with Mr Hamilton who brought me a letter 
from 3^our Lordship, which was very agreeable as 
everything is that assures me of the welfare of your 
family. Among the many obligations I have to your 
Lordship I must reckon your making me acquainted 
with a gentleman of Mr Hamilton's merit. I gave 
him a recommendation to some friends of mine in 
Naples where he intends to make a short stay, and 
upon his return I hope to enjoy more of his company. 

It would I believe be no news to your Lordship to 
give you an account of the functions of the Holy Week, 
which has drawn a great confluence of strangers from 
all parts of Europe, particularly several of the nobility 
and gentry of Great Britain, enough to fill two coffee 
houses. The well affected part meet at that in Piazza 
d'Espagna ; and the rebels have another part to them- 
selves. Among the latter are the Lords Mar, Southesk 
&c. Methinks it is no ill sign to see them loiter about 
town as if they had nothing to do. Though it must be 
owned, men of good sense, understanding, and friends 
to King George, are in these parts alarmed with appre 
hensions more from divisions at home than from any 
power or foreign foes. Your Lordship hath seen too 
much of Italy not to know that every indifferent man 
who travels must be heartily concerned at any accident 
that should seem to make way for introducing among 
us, that sort of government and religion that hath made 
the inhabitants of these parts the greatest fools and 
slaves from the wisest and bravest men in the world. 
But I hope the breach is not so wide, nor the con- 
sequences likely to prove so fatal, as is commonly feared 
or imagined at this distance. 

During the functions of the Holy Week and the 



BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 171 

Easter holidays it was impossible to look out for prints 
or books ; but my next shall bring your Lordship an 
account of what I have procured for you, in which 
I hope my gusto will shew itself somewhat improved 
since coming abroad. 

I must beg your Lordship to give my humblest 
respects to my Lady, Mrs Parker, the children, and all 
friends who are so kind as to remember me, and to 
believe, that I am, 

My Lord, 

Your Lordship's 

most obed' and 

most humble Serv', 

Geo. Berkeley. 

The general talk here is of a peace between the 
Emperour and King Philip. 



My Lord, 



Berkeley to Percival. 

Rome, 2%'f^ July, 17 18. 



My last to your Lordship I have some sus- 
picion might not have come to your hands, but having 
now got a correspondent at Leghorn to forward our 
letters I am in hopes this will. Upon the ill news of 
my Lord Bishop's death we were resolved to go directly 
homewards, but a few days after Mr Ashe received 
letters from his friends with directions to continue longer 
this side the Alps, which together with the extreme 
heats that render travelling insupportable hath deter- 
mined us to stay some months longer at Rome, where 
we have at present about thirty English gentlemen and 
noblemen, most of them men of good sense and very 



172 BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 

sober. This makes the sejour as agreeable as it is 
possible to be out of England, whither I long for 
liberty to return on many accounts, particularly that 
I may have a part in the contrivance of the house you 
design to build this winter, for you must know I pretend 
to an uncommon skill in architecture, as you will easily 
imagine when I assure your Lordship there is not any 
one modern building in Rome that pleases me, except 
the wings of the capitol built by Michael Angelo and 
the colonnade of Berninies before St Peter's. The 
Church itself I find a thousand faults with, as indeed 
with every other modern Church here. I forget the 
little round one in the place where S' Peter was be- 
headed built by Bramante, which is very pretty and 
built like an ancient temple. This gusto of mine is 
formed on the remains of antiquity that I have met 
with in my travels, particularly in Sicily, which convince 
me that the old Romans were inferior to the Greeks, 
and that the moderns fall infinitely short of both in the 
grandeur and simplicity of taste. 

I have bought for your Lordship prints of the 
Churches, palaces, and statues of Rome, a great number. 
I had likewise bought those of the Colonne Trajane 
and Antonina, which in many large sheets display the 
Roman antiquity, but shewing them to a judicious 
friend here who informed me that the plates are much 
worn out, and very coarsely retouched, which had 
spoiled the prints, I returned them. The rest are sent 
on board an English ship, safe packed up with some 
things of Mr Ashe's, with directions to lie at the custom 
house in London till our return. 

As for books there is no sort of learning flourishes 
here but civil and canon law. Not but there is enough 
too of divinity and poetry, but so very bad that I can 
meet with nothing in either kind worth buying. The 
truth is the Italians of the last and present age are not 
worth importing into England. Those of the golden 
age of Pope Leo the tenth are scarce, and very hard 
to be met with. But those I presume you are already 



BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 173 

provided with. However, if there be any particular 
authors or editions that you want, please to let me 
know, and when I come to Padua or Venice, I shall 
make it my business to enquire for them. 

I have had several letters from Lord Pembroke with 
directions to enquire for about thirty books, of which 
I have not in a years time with my utmost diligence 
been able to procure above three. If at Venice which 
is the great mart for books I meet with anything new 
worth buying, I intend to purchase it for your Lordship. 
As to old authors I would gladly know which you want, 
that I might not buy those you have already. 

Your Lordship's letter under cover to George Ashe 
Esq., and directed to Messrs Bates Campion and 
Mitchel at Leghorn, will at any time come safe to me, 
and can never bring any news more agreeable than 
that of the welfare of yourself and family. 

My best respects to my Lady and Mrs Parker and 
the rest of those who remember me, particularly 
Mrs Bering. I beg your Lordship to believe me, 

My Lord, 

Your Lordship's most 

obed' and most obliged 

Servant, 

G. Berkeley. 



My Lord, 



Berkeley to PercivaL 

Rome, i^^th November, 1718. 



I know not by what accident the letter your 
Lordship favoured me with from Paris came to my 
hands, being enclosed in a cover to Mr S' George 
instead of Mr Ashe. My surprise to hear your Lord- 
ship and the Ladies were at Paris was attended with 



174 BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 

no small mortification to think I should miss the 
happiness of seeing you there. 

The Pretender is hourly expected in this city where 
he designs to make his residence. The greatest part 
of his followers are already come and swarm in all 
public places, which must make Rome an uneasy place 
to men of different principles. So we are now in a 
hurry proposing to set out from hence in a day or two, 
which makes me fear I shall not have time to enquire 
about the medals and other things your Lordship 
mentioned in your last. But I design to leave direc- 
tions with a friend here to inform himself as to the 
price of them and where they may be had. He is 
one who having an excellent genius for painting designs 
to continue a year longer at Rome, and will gladly 
serve me in anything that lies in his power. So that 
by his means I hope to procure anything your Lord- 
ship shall have occasion for. I remember to have 
heard your Lordship speak of certain models in plaster 
of Paris cast from busts at Florence which miscarried 
in their way home, and having met with a man in the 
Villa Medici who has some moulds taken from cele- 
brated antique busts, I have got him to form eight of 
them in terra cotta {as they call it), which is much 
more durable than plaster of Paris or giesso, being as 
hard as brick. Two painted after bronze antique are 
Julius Caesar and the Antinous in the Vatican, the 
other six busts have their names on billets affixed to 
them and are painted of a leaden colour, which seems 
to me more natural, though perhaps I had done better 
not to have had them painted at all. These I have 
seen carefully boxed up and sent to Leghorn, with 
directions from Mr Ashe to his correspondents there 
to send them to London to Mr Cairns (Sir Alexander's 
brother) with orders to deliver them to your Lordship, 
wishing they may in any measure repair the loss of 
those you had ordered yourself. You will have nothing 
to pay Mr Cairns but the carriage from^ Leghorn to 
London. 



BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 175 

I find the outside of your Lordship's house is 
finished and doubt not it will answer your fine taste. 
Within I hope to find a stone staircase, tiled floors, 
and vaulted roofs, with oval or square oblong pictures 
in the middle. 

We are going to Venice in our way homewards 
and hope to kiss your Lordship's hands this Spring in 
London. My humble respects to the Ladies. 

I am, 

My Lord, 

Y' Lordship's 

most obed' 

hum. Serv', 

Geo. Berkeley. 



My Lord, 



Berkeley to Percival. 

Florence, -hi July-, N.S. 1720. 



I have at length the pleasure to let you know 
of having procured for you what they called se^'ie mezana 
of brass medals from Julius Caesar down to Galienus, 
which they tell me is the period of the good work. 
They are fifty odd heads fair, about a dozen copies. 
I have never studied medals so was obliged to follow 
the judgment of others. I hoped to have been able to 
have sent you this advice long since, having employed 
an English gentleman who passed this way to Rome 
(for my friend who I left there was returned to England). 
That gentleman after a long delay wrote me word he 
could get a series at a reasonable rate, but the heads 
would be very blind, and the sizes unequal. This put 



176 BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 

me upon trying what may be done here, and employ- 
ing persons to pick up what originals may be had in 
Florence and making copies of the rest : but you know 
how tedious it is to deal with Italians. I never knew 
people so ready to promise and so slow to perform. 

It is not Mao-nolfi^ but one Bianchi who hath care 
of the painters' heads. But upon enquiry I find it 
impracticable to have them copied, the great Duke 
being very jealous in that point lest they should be 
made public. 

I have been with Soldani to know what the busts 
were which he did for you, but having at different 
times done things for English gentlemen, he remembers 
nothing in particular which he did for you. 

Since the making those busts I sent you, I had 
got some others much finer being made of scaglione 
(a hard composition that looks and shines like marble). 
These packed up with the greatest care to prevent 
breaking I ordered to be sent to Mr Cairns at London, 
but find they are gone without my knowledge to Lisbon 
with some things of Mr Ashe's in order to embark 
there for Ireland; but I have desired Mr Ashe to write 
to his merchant in Dublin to send them back to 
London. 

You wrote to me for a series of marbles. I have 
been told this was the proper place to get them in ; 
accordingly I have made it my business to enquire for 
them, but could find only one set in the whole town. 
It contains about one hundred sorts, being small oval 
pieces. I shall either send them or bring it myself. 

As to the figured stones which you wrote for, when 
I was here before, I bought several of them which I 
designed for you. They are now in London; but 
these as well as the prints are put up promiscuously 
with Mr Ashe's things, so that I can give no directions 
for coming at them till we come to London, which I 
hope will be before the cold weather comes on. I have 
indeed been detained so long against my expectations 

^ [Laurence Magnolfi, an Italian artist and collector.] 



BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 177 

and wishes on this side the Alps that I have lost patience. 
Every month these six months we have designed to 
begin our journey and have been as often disappointed. 
We are now resolved to set out in two days, but shall 
travel slowly because of the heats which are intolerable 
except a few hours in the morning and evening. 

The advice you were so kind as to forward to me, 
and for which I return my hearty thanks, having by 
mistake lain many months at Brussels, came too late 
to be of any use. This and the like disappointments 
have had the good effect to harden me against any 
future mishaps. I hope to find that yourself and other 
friends there, particularly Mrs Parker and Mrs D. 
Dering, have had better fortune in the general scramble 
for the wealth of the nation ; nothing else can reconcile 
the French projects now on foot in England to 

My Lord, 

Your Lordship's 

Most obed* and most 

humble Serv', 

George Berkeley. 

Mr Ashe presents his humble service to your 
Lordship, and I must desire you to present mine to 
the Ladies and all friends. I was particularly obliged 
for the account you were pleased to give me of your 
hopeful offspring, which must be very entertaining to 
one who by inclination as well as gratitude thinks him- 
self interested in all that concerns your family. Your 
Lordship cannot do a better service to the public than 
to get and breed up sons like yourself and daughters 
like my Lady. 



178 BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 



Berkeley to Percival. 

Trin. Coll., Dublin, 12^^ Oct. 1721. 



My Lord, 



I have been now a month in Ireland without 
writing to your Lordship, not that I am in the least 
insensible of many favours received from you and good 
Lady Percival, and the acknowledgments I ought to 
make for them. But the truth is I deferred it every 
post, in hopes I should have been able before the 
following to let you know, I was in possession of the 
preferment which of all those in the Lord Lieutenant's 
gift would have been the most agreeable to me, which 
the goodness I have constantly experienced in your 
Lordship made me flatter myself would have proved 
welcome news; but his Grace still imagining himself 
obliged in point of policy to keep that affair in suspence, 
I can no longer delay what I should otherwise have 
done upon my first arrival. 

I had no sooner set foot on shore, but I heard 
that the Deanery of Dromore was become vacant, 
which is worth about ^500 a year, and a sinecure: 
which circumstance recommends it to me beyond any 
preferment in the kingdom, though there are some 
Deaneries of twice that value. I instantly applied to 
his Grace, and put him in mind of his promises. He 
answered me very civilly, but in general terms, saying 
that he meant to do more than he cared to say, and 
more to the same purpose, from which I could gather 
that he designed to dispose of nothing during the 
session, in order to create a dependence, though at 
the same time he create much trouble to himself and 
others by encouraging more hopes and solicitations 
than he can satisfy. I have represented this matter 



BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 17^ 

in a letter to my Lord Burlington \ but can hardly 
hope his Lordship will write to the Duke, since he 
told me in England that he was willing to serve me 
in any other instance, but that he thought it below 
him to solicit his Grace any further. 

The Duchess is very civil, and, were this affair 
in her disposal, would I believe bestow it to my liking 
which I owe to my Lady Percival. Mr Fairfax also 
befriends me much. But notwithstanding all these 
things, and the Duke's repeated promises, it must be 
owned the importunities he exposeth himself to on all 
hands by this unnecessary delay make me uncertain 
of the event. One thing I believe is pretty sure, that 
it will not be determined before the recess, which can 
hardly be these three weeks yet, it being probable 
the debates about the bank will hardly be over before 
that time. I do not find that this new project meets 
with many partisans here besides those who are imme- 
diately interested in it, and I am inclined to think it 
may come to nothing. 

I cannot conclude without recommending to you 
and your family a preservative against the plague, 
which I am told alarms you much at present, it is no 
more than the Jesuits bark taken as against the 
ague. This I had from Dr Arbuthnot just before I 
left London, who is resolved his whole family shall 
make use of it, and I cannot but think for the reasons 
he gave me, too long to be repeated, it would be of 
great benefit. 

Mr Dering, who has gathered flesh and mended his 
complection very sensibly in the little time that I have 
been here, has given me the agreeable news of my 
Lady Percival's being well. God grant that she may 
continue so, and bring forth to your Lordship another 
fine boy, which I hope shortly to hear. 

If there be any nonsense in this letter I beg your 
Lordship will have the goodness to excuse: the truth 

^ [The Earl of Burlington (1695 — 1753) was noted for his friendship 
with artists and men of letters.] 



i8o PERCIVAL TO BERKELEY 

is, I am more than half asleep as I write, having been 
up very early this morning. Pray present my humble 
service to my Lady, to her sister, and to Mrs Dering, 
and believe me to be, my Lord, 

Yr Lordship's most obed' and most 

humW^ Serv', 

G. Berkeley. 

If I get this Deanery I hope to see your Lordship 
soon. 



Dear Sir, 



Percival to Berkeley. 

Charlton, 21^^ Oct. 1721. 



I was thinking to write to you, when last 
post your letter came to my hands, whereby I find 
you are in a fair prospect of what I heartily wish you 
may obtain, since it answers so well your desires, and 
would suffer you to visit England. I do not wonder 
you should be impatient till actually in possession of 
a preferment that differs in such circumstances from 
others, because accidents unforeseen may rise and dis- 
appoint you, but they must be very unforeseen indeed, 
considering how well you were recommended to his 
Grace, how respectful he is to you, and let me add 
because 'tis truth, how well you deserve his favour. His 
Grace's policy, though perhaps ill judged and needless 
at this time, to defer the disposal of this preferment 
till the recess, ought so little to cause you apprehension^ 
that I think it a sign that he intends it for you, because 
your interest lying on this side and little in Ireland, 
where that of the other candidates is all together, he 
apprehends disgusting for the present their friends 
there, whose service he is obliged to make use of, and 



PERCIVAL TO BERKELEY i8r 

therefore defers the disobliging them till their resent- 
ment will come too late to hurt him or the public 
affairs. We are all of this judgment, and the more so 
from a great opinion we have of his Grace's honour 
and discretion, believing that he will consider that the 
friends he obliges here are such as he passes most of his 
time with, as his residence is in England. I am very 
glad you are so well with the Duchess, and my wife 
hath writ to thank her Grace for her civilities to you. 
You will do well to cultivate your interest there. 

I find the erecting of a Bank in Dublin is yet very 
uncertain. I am for my own part very indifferent, 
though it would certainly lower exchange, and con- 
sequently be advantageous to us who live here and 
have estates in Ireland, and I believe if wisely managed 
might be a benefit to that kingdom. If I thought 
there were any danger from it of our raising funds for 
a long term of years, and thereby bringing the nation 
into constant debt by anticipating any part of the 
additional supplies that are used to be raised within 
the year (which probably is apprehended by those 
who now oppose it), I should be as much against a 
bank as any man. In the meantime I am glad to find 
the government so indifferent about it, for it shews 
that if it pass, there is no private design from that 
quarter lurking underneath. 

I thank you for your receipt against the plague: 
our apprehensions are not over, though less than a 
week ago, the story of the Dutch ship being groundless. 

With services to you from my wife, and brother, and 
sister Dering, 

I am, 

D^ S^ 

Y" most affec' Serv', 

Percival. 



i82 BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 



My Lord, 



Berkeley to Percival. 

Trinity Coll., Dublin, lyd Oct. 172 1. 



I remember to have read with a great deal of 
pleasure a very clear and instructive piece of your 
Lordship's concerning the Bank, or rather concerning 
Banks in general. I must now make it my request 
to your Lordship to favour me with a copy of it. It 
may be sent conveniently in two covers. I cannot 
but think your discourse would be very serviceable to 
the public at this time, when men's thoughts and con- 
versation are almost entirely turned towards a subject 
they are generally speaking very ignorant of. It 
would even have its use if it were shewn only to two 
or three leading men in manuscript. I must therefore 
beg leave to press you on this head, the rather because 
the bank scheme is not quite laid aside, and may still 
one way or other be very important. 

The love of your country will I doubt not be a 
sufficient motive to your Lordship to comply in this 
particular with, my Lord, 

Yr Lordship's 

Most obed' and most humb^ 
Serv', 

G. Berkeley. 

I long to hear how my Lady does and the rest of 
your family, to all whom pray give my humble service. 
The affair which I mentioned last is not yet come to 
an issue. 



PERCIVAL TO BERKELEY 183 

Percival to Berkeley. 

Charlton, c^th jsfov. 1721. 

Your opinion that what I put together touch- 
ing an Irish Bank might furnish a reader with topics 
for reflection and discourse prevailed on me to comply 
with your desire of sending you those sheets, as I did 
a post ago under two covers directed for you at Trinity 
College, Dublin. The better part of them is taken from 
books of that sort that I had by me, wherein I found 
many things I did not well comprehend, and others 
I thought not rightly judged which I omitted, and 
substituted in their place what my own reflections 
suggested, applying the whole to the particular cir- 
cumstances of Ireland. This is all the hand I properly 
had in that paper, nor should I have meddled at all 
in it, but that the gentlemen employed at that time 
to solicit a bank desired me to give them my thoughts 
thereof. 1 never shewed it to any but them, yourself, 
and my brother Dering, and am very desirous that 
you lend it only to such as will make no other use of it 
than you design yourself to do, for I am far from 
thinking so well of it as you seem to do, and know 
how weak a composure it must appear at this time 
when the subject of it is so canvassed and warmly 
contended for and against by the gentlemen in 
parliament. 

I am obliged to you for often acquainting me with 
what relates to your private concern. I am still of 
opinion the Deanery will be yours, and that not only 
from an aptness to credit my own wishes, but for the 
reasons I writ you in my last. 

I am amusing myself with alterations in my garden, 
though another man's land, which by that time they 
come to perfection will be no longer mine ; but if any man 



i84 BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 

shall condemn my copying after the Duke of Bucking- 
ham \ who for his pleasure planted another man's fields, 
I will answer with him : blame me when I do ill, but 
suffer me in that which is good. When my trees are 
in my ground, I shall go for the winter to town, where 
all my family with pleasure expect your return about 
the time the government leaves Ireland. 

Our family are much your humble servants. My 
wife is, as she always is at such times, very uneasy, but 
under no dangerous circumstances. 

I am, &c., 

Percival. 

I know not whether I mentioned one indispensable 
caution about the Bank ; it is, that they be obliged not 
to lend the government any money but by consent of 
Parliament. Without such restriction I should be abso- 
lutely against it, and will require an Act of Parliament 
for that purpose. Pray inculcate this to your friends. 
The Bank of England is so bound up. 



My Lord, 



Berkeley to Percival. 

Trinity Coll., Dub. \pecP[ 1721. 



I just now received the favour of your Lord- 
ship's letter, together with your dissertation on the 
Bank, for which I most heartily thank your Lordship. 
After a long dearth of news we have had ten packets 
this evening at once, which alone could occasion my 
being so late in my acknowledgment. I shall make 
the use you prescribe of what you have been pleased 
to send me, and must ask your pardon if I persist in 

^ [Buckingham was the patron of Dryden and friend of Pope.] 



BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 185 

thinking very differently of it from what you seem 
to do. And to say no more, this I will venture to 
affirm, that I never saw anything so proper as to give 
me an easy insight into the several sorts of banks as 
your Lordship's papers. We have had two or three 
things printed here about the late project, particularly 
one by Mr Maxwell, and an answer to it by Mr Rowley, 
both Parliament men, the first for, the latter against 
the Bank, which I would have sent to you, had I 
judged such large pamphlets worth the postage. But 
that affair is in such a declining way, that it is to be 
questioned whether it will be resumed this session, 
which commences next week. 

The Deanery still continues in suspense, and is 
likely to remain so till the parliament is up, which 
probably will not be before middle of Jan'y- 

Your Lordship's amusement in planting trees for 
the use of a stranger is so far from culpable, that it 
shews a refined taste and a disinterested benevolence 
to mankind, a thing not the less excellent because it is 
rare and perhaps ridiculous in this corrupt age. 

Three days hence we are to have the honour of 
entertaining the Duke of Grafton at the College, and 
I am appointed to make the Latin speech to him, 
which employs my thoughts for the present, so I shall 
give you no further trouble, but concluding with my 
best good wishes for yourself, my good Lady Percival, 
and all the rest of your family. 

I remain, 

My Lord, 

Y' Lordship's most obed' & most humb' Serv', 

G. Berkeley. 



i86 BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 

Berkeley to Percival. 

Tr. Coll. Dublin, c)th jany. i7fi. 

My Lord, 

It is very obliging in your Lordship to think 
of me and my interests in the kind manner you do. 
This makes me think it will not be altogether imperti- 
nent to lay before you a short account of our Irish 
vacancies in the Church. There are vacant besides 
the Bishopric of Leighlin and Femes, the Deaneries 
of Downe, Dromore, Limerick and Cork, and also 
some smaller benefices. I applied at first for that of 
Dromore, and have not since altered my application, 
the Bishopric and rich Deanery of Downe being above 
my desires, and the others below them. The Deanery 
of Dromore exactly suits my wishes, and I have had 
encouragement to hope for it. At first I forced myself 
to be a pretty constant courtier, but of late have 
remitted somewhat of my diligence, being tired out 
with delays. I do nevertheless still see the Duke and 
Duchess once in ten days. The truth is, the assu- 
rances I have had from both ought in good manners 
to make me easy till the time comes when things can 
be declared, which cannot be far off if the Parliament 
rises in a fortnight. 

For news I hear none, but that the Commons have 
been uneasy at their bills being altered in the Council 
here. This it was thought would have produced some 
resolutions, but their heat I am now told is now over. 
For some time past I have been afflicted for the death 
of Mr Ashe who died at Brussels. 

I am glad to hear your family are all well, and am 
in hopes when you next favour me to have an account 
of my Lady's safe deliverance. So wishing you and 
all yours all happiness, I remain. 

My Lord, 

Y'^ Lordship's most obedient 

and most humb'^ Serv', 

G. Berkeley. 



BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 187 

Berkeley to Percival. 

Trin. Coll., \oth Feb. i7f|. 
My Lord, 

Your Lordship hath been always so partial 
to my interests, that I persuade myself it will be 
welcome news to you that my patent is now passing 
the seals for the Deanery of Dromore. As upon all 
other accounts so especially on my Lady Duchess' 
favour and friendly interposition on my behalf, I am 
very sensible of the obligations I have to my good 
Lady Percival. I shall be in pain till I hear she is 
well delivered of a child, that from my heart I wish 
may rival Mr Johnny in learning, or Miss Helena in 
beauty, and I can hardly wish more. I shall then 
request another favour from her Ladyship, and that is 
to acknowledge those I have received from my Lady 
Duchess. I believe I have formerly told your Lord- 
ship the Deanery of Dromore is worth ^500 p. ann. 
It is what were I in possession would please me 
beyond anything, but the worst of it is, the Bishop, 
pretending a title, hath put in a presentee of his own, 
which unavoidably engages me in a lawsuit; but if I 
succeed, my pains will be abundantly recompensed. 

I am, my Lord, 

Y*^ Lordship's most obedient 
Serv^ 

G. Berkeley. 



i88 BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 



My Lord, 



Berkeley to Percival. 

Trin. Coll. is^-^ Feb. 172^. 



As among all your friends there is nobody- 
hath better reason to be pleased with any good fortune 
that befalls your Lordship or good Lady Percival than 
I have, so I beg leave to assure you there is no one 
employs more sincere and constant wishes for your 
prosperity. You will therefore do me the justice to 
believe it was most agreeable news to me which 
I heard this day of my Lady's being safely delivered 
of a fine boy. I could not omit congratulating your 
Lordship on this happy event, and at the same time 
wishing you may live to procure many of the same 
kind to your own comfort, and the joy of all your 
friends, particularly, my Lord, 

Y' Lordship's most obedient & 
most humble Serv', 

G. Berkeley 



D-^ S^ 



Percival to Berkeley. 

London, yd. March, 172^. 



I yesterday waited on the Duke of Grafton 
to thank him for his favours to you. He expressed 
very great respect for you and is only sorry you meet 
with such opposition from your Bishop\ He said that 
he is told the B — p's Patent is very strong in favour 
of his pretensions to name a dean, but that you had 
been allowed ^50 out of the Concordation to carry 

^ Dr Lambert, Bishop of Dromore. P. 



PERCIVAL TO BERKELEY 189 

on the suit. I wondered how it should be made now 
a dispute, to which he repHed that the last Dean had 
been long in the place, and that the matter had been 
compromised the time before. I heartily hope you 
will overcome this difficulty, which I fear is like to 
detain you from us this summer. 

I find he is not well pleased at the resistance Bishop 
Hort^ meets with from some of that bench. He was, 
he said, many years Chaplain to the late Bishop of 
Ely, and a sober gentlemanlike man. He expected 
however that last Sunday the Bishops in Commission 
would ordain him. My wife went out yesterday for 
the fifth time to see my sister Bering who has mis- 
carried. 

I am ever, &c. 

Percival. 



My Lord, 



Berkeley to Percival. 

Dublin, 15^-^ March, 172I. 



It was very kind of your Lordship to wait on 
the Lord Lieutenant and acknowledge the favour his 
Grace has been pleased to confer on me, which I am 
very sensible was in great goodness designed for my 
advantage, though in the event it may possibly prove 
otherwise. I had indeed ^50 Concordation money 
given towards carrying on the suit at the last Council 
the Duke held. Twenty-five of that is gone already 
in seeing lawyers, and making searches and extracts in 
several offices, though the suit be not yet commenced ; 
which upon enquiry I find will be more tedious, and the 
event much more doubtful, than I was at first aware 

^ Mr Hort, a Dean before, made Bishop of Leighlin and Ferns. He 
had been a Presbyterian teacher but came over to our Church, but was 
not ordained, as the A.B. of Dublin, of Tuam, and Bishop of Deir Clogher 
alleged. P. 



I90 BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 

of, but with a sure expense on my side, if I am 
informed right, of several hundred pounds besides what 
I am Hkely to get from the Government, which will go 
but a little way to fee eight lawyers (for so many 
I have engaged), and defray all other expenses of a 
suit against a man who is worth ^1200 p. ann. beside 
the Deanery which he is in actual possession of, and 
who hath been practised in lawsuits five and twenty 
years together. This being the case, my friends think 
it would be no unreasonable request for me to desire 
the Chantership of Christ Church now vacant by the 
death of the Dean of Armagh^ and said to be worth 
somewhat more than one hundred pounds p. ann. 
This Chantership is consistent with my fellowship, 
and might enable me to carry on the suit with ease, 
and perhaps recover the right of the Crown. And as 
it is in his Grace's gift, who hath on all occasions 
shewn great humanity and goodness, I have hopes he 
may comply with my request, if it be speedily laid 
before him in a proper manner. As there is no one 
can do this better than your Lordship, so there is no 
one on whose friendship and protection I can better 
depend. I must likewise recommend myself to good 
Lady Percival whose speaking to the Duchess will 
be of service, her Grace having been always favourable 
to me on her account. If your Lordship could speak 
yourself, or (if unacquainted with him) could get 
another to speak to Mr Hopkins, it would be very 
proper and useful on this occasion. 

Your Lordship will do me the justice to believe, 
that as I have the sincerest gratitude for the favour 
his Grace hath already conferred upon me, so I should 
not presume to solicit for a new one, if I were in 
possession of that, and not under just apprehensions 
of a long, uncertain, and expensive suit, in no sort 
proportioned to my circumstances, which nevertheless 
I may be enabled to prosecute to the utmost by the 
addition of this small preferment. 

^ Dr Drelingcourt. P. 



PERCIVAL TO BERKELEY 191 

I should be glad to hear your family are all well, 
and that Mrs Dering was out of danger. 

You see, my Lord, the trouble your good natured 
inclination to serve your friends has drawn upon you. 
I have a particular reason why I would not trouble my 
Lord Burlington^ in this affair, and I thought it would 
be more respectful to get a friend to state the case to the 
Duke than to write myself to him upon it. If in desiring 
this from your Lordship I ask anything improper, you 
are the best judge in what manner to act or whether 
to act at all ; so begging ten thousand pardons, 
I conclude, 

Y"" Lordship's most obed' and most 

obliged Serv', 

Geo. Berkeley. 



D^ s^ 



Percival to Berkeley. 

London, 27^^ March, 1722. 



Though it is now some time since I received 
your last, I could not answer it before, for the Duke of 
Grafton was out of town, and returned but a few days 
since. Thursday I communicated your desire to him 
in the properest manner I could, and added of my 
own that upon the termination of the suit you would 
surrender the Chantership for his Grace to dispose of 
as he pleased. He replied that I knew very well the 
great value he had for you, and that you should still 
be supplied out of the Concordation to carry on the 
suit as you wanted it, you making it appear how you 
disposed of the same, but that the Chantership must 
go another way. I thanked his Grace, but said the 

^ {Supra, p. 179.] 



192 BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 

A. B. of Dublin was not much your friend ; to which 
he replied he believed it, for that he said he did not 
know you, but it signified nothing, the other two 
Justices would do as he directed. 

My wife and Daniel both think this is sufficient 
from his Grace, and truly I think so too, though 
I always shall wish your desires may be answered in 
your own way. We all wonder why you employ eight 
lawyers, both for the expense, and that we think you 
can hardly find so many good ones, supposing the 
other party to have engaged the best he could. 

I am ever, 

&c. 

Percival. 



My Lord, 



Berkeley to Percival. 

Trinity College, \^^'^ Aprils 1722. 



I humbly thank your Lordship for the trouble 
you have taken on my account, not doubting but you 
have laid my affair before his Grace in the properest 
and kindest manner that good nature and good sense 
should suggest. 

I make no question that the Duke will think it 
reasonable my cause should be supported out of the 
treasury during his Lieutenancy, but I much fear it 
will survive his government. 

Your Lordship is surprised at the number of my 
lawyers, and truly so am I myself, having at first little 
thought that I should have occasion for so many. 
They are six counsellors, two attorneys, and a civilian. 
The former are Rogerson, Marlow, Malone, Nuttley, 
Stannard, and Howard, The attorneys are Mr Smith 
of the King's Bench, and Mr Stanton who is my 
solicitor. My civilian is Dr Hawkshaw. The cause 
is a great cause, and I was told that fewer would not 



BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 193 

do. My adversary, if I am informed right, hath as 
many, and had the advantage to pre-engage the best, 
before I had got my Patent. 

Tuesday last I had a meeting of my lawyers, who 
direct that I should proceed by quare iTnpedit, and 
I am to serve my adversaries the Bishop and Dr 
Lesley with a writ this week. 

God preserve your Lordship from law and lawyers. 
Had the Deanery been disposed of when first vacant, 
I had been in possession and avoided all this trouble, 
but now the Bishop's clerk is in, I fear it will be a very 
difficult matter to dispossess him : so difficult and 
so doubtful that I heartily wish instead of my present 
Patent I had a promise of the next Deanery that 
falls. 

One of the most disagreeable effects of my law- 
suit is that it detains me from England, and conse- 
quently from Charlton, where I proposed being happy 
this summer, and where I hope your Lordship, my 
good Lady Percival and your delightful offspring now 
enjoy all those domestic pleasures which constitute the 
true and solid comforts of life. 

I am, my Lord, 

&c. 

G. Berkeley. 



Berkeley to Percival. 

Dublin, Trinity College, 29^*^ July^ 1722. 
My Lord, 

Not having the honour of a line from your 
Lordship since my last, I am well pleased to find by 
Mr Percival that you and my Lady and the rest of the 
family are well. 

Your Lordship knows this barren bleak island too 
well to expect any news from it worth your notice. 

R. 13 



194 BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 

The most remarkable thing now going on is a house 
of Mr Conolly's at Castletown. It is 142 feet in 
front, and above 60 deep in the clear, the height will 
be about 70. It is to be of fine wrought stone, harder 
and better coloured than the Portland, with outhouse 
joining to it by colonnades &c. The plan is chiefly of 
Mr Conolly's invention, however, in some points they 
are pleased to consult me. I hope it will be an orna- 
ment to the country. 

On Thursday next the King's equestrian statue is 
to be uncovered and exposed to view ; the several 
companys will ride the fringes on that day, and our 
magistrates appear in their utmost magnificence. 
I hear six guineas are given for a floor to see the 
show. I was desired to made the Latin inscription 
for the statue, which I did, being willing to distinguish 
my zeal for his Majesty, and in consequence thereof 
had the honour to dine at my Lord Mayor's on last 
great day, 

I heartily wish my lawsuit was at an end, that I may 
pay a visit to my friends in England, especially your- 
self and my good Lady, whom I long to see ; but as it 
is, it unluckily detains me here from seeing my friends, 
or prosecuting my interest in England. I do never- 
theless conceive hopes it may be cut short by a project 
contained in the enclosed, which when you have read, 
I must entreat you to seal and deliver or send to 
Mr Molyneux. I take the liberty to give you this 
trouble, having cause to suspect that some former 
letters of mine to him might have miscarried, and as 
this is of importance, I would fain have it go sure and 
speedy. My Lord, I am out of countenance for the 
trouble I have given you, and remain with a hearty 
sense of all your favours, 

Y'' Lordship's 

Most obed' & most hum'''® Serv', 

Geo. Berkeley. 



PERCIVAL TO BERKELEY 195 

Percival to Be^^keley. 

TUNBRIDGE, S'^^' Aug. 1722. 

I received your letter with the other enclosed 
for Mr Molyneux last Sunday, and sent it immediately 
under a cover to Kew. I writ at the same time to 
him in hopes to have an answer, and thereby the satis- 
faction of knowing the letter came safe to his hands. 
I think the expedient you have proposed is extremely 
reasonable and proper, and the Duke must be strangely 
overseen, or under very strong obligations of promise 
to some other person, if he do not close with it and 
thereby preserve the right of the Crown, which by his 
negligence is so much in jeopardy. 

I have been to blame that I did not answer your 
former letter till now, but to say the truth I had 
nothing to send you material, and I have not style 
to make something out of nothing, which is so easy to 
some. 

I think it is now nine weeks in all since we came 
here, and my wife by reason of the bad weather and 
cholic has drunk the waters but twelve days only ; but 
she is now very well and will pursue a regular course 
with them for three weeks, when we shall return to 
Charlton. We have often wished you with us, and 
now more especially that we propose to pass the 
winter there. 

I am glad that for the honour of my country, that 
Mr Conoliy has undertaken so magnificent a pile of 
building, and your advice has been taken upon it. 
I hope that the execution will answer the design, 
wherein one especial care must be to procure good 
masons. I shall be impatient until you send me a 
sketch of the whole plan and of your two fronts. You 
will do well to recommend to him the making use of all 
the marbles he can get of the production of Ireland for his 

13—2 



196 BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 

chimneys, for since this house will be the finest Ireland 
ever saw, and by your description fit for a Prince, 
I would have it as it were the epitome of the kingdom, 
and all the natural rarities she afford should have a 
place there. I would examine the several woods there 
for inlaying my floors, and wainscot with our own oak, 
and walnut : my stone stairs should be of black palmers 
stone, and my buffet adorned with the choicest shells 
our strand afford. I would even carry my zeal to 
things of art : my hangings, bed, cabinets and other 
furniture should be Irish, and the very silver that 
ornamented my locks and grates should be the produce 
of our own mines. But I forget that I write to a 
gentleman of the country who knows better what is 
proper and what the kingdom affords. 

Y"" affect, friend & humble Serv', 

Percival. 



My Lord, 



Berkeley to Percival. 

Trinity Coll. Duel., 7^-^ Sept. 1722. 



I am to return my thanks to your Lordship 
for your obliging letter, and your care in conveying 
mine to Mr Molyneux, though as it happens I might 
have spared my friends and myself that trouble. 
I flatter myself with hopes of seeing your Lordship in 
London this winter, if I can steal so much time from 
my lawsuit; which besides that it gives me but a very 
discouraging prospect (the only way of getting posses- 
sion of the Deanery being I am fully persuaded to 
make Dean Lesley a Bishop) hath this inconvenience, 
that it keeps me from friends in England, though 
I have a letter of absence. 



BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 197 

I shall then give you the best account I can of 
Mr Conolly's House ; in the meantime you will be 
surprised to hear that the building is begun and the 
cellar floor arched before they have agreed on any 
plan for the elevation or fa9ade. Several have been 
made by several hands, but as I do not approve of 
a work conceived by many heads so I have made no 
draught of mine own. All I do being to give my 
opinion on any point, when consulted. 

We are much alarmed here by the seizing of the 
Bishop of Rochester, which makes men think the plot 
more considerable than was at first imaofined. Provi- 
dence hath hitherto baffled all schemes for introducing 
popery and arbitrary power, and I trust in God will 
continue to do so. I am sorry and ashamed to see 
a Protestant Bishop accused of so foul a conspiracy. 

I remain with my humblest services to Lady 
Percival and best wishes to all your family. 

My Lord, 

Y"^ Lordship's most obed' and most 

obliged Serv', 

Geo. Berkeley. 



My Lord, 



Berkeley to Percival. 

Trin. Coll. Dub., Oct. 1722. 



I have still hopes of seeing your Lordship 
this winter, when I flatter myself with the prospect 
of rejoicing by your fireside, where I have spent so 
many agreeable hours. 

The information you were so good to send me 
about the Bishop of Rochester was very acceptable: 



198 BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 

it is an affair that holds us all in suspense, everyone 
longing to see the event and know his accomplices. 

As to my own affair, I could wish it were one 
brought to any conclusion, being prepared for the 
issue, be it what it will, and I think as indifferent 
about it as one can well be supposed to be on a like 
occasion. 

My Lord Duke hath taken one step of late that 
pleases every one, I mean the presenting Dr Bolton 
to the Bishopric of Clonfert. He could not possibly 
have pitched upon a person more universally esteemed 
and unenvied. There is another of that name Dean 
of Derry, who lieth dangerously ill of a palsy, and is 
indeed past hopes of recovery. My friends think that 
in case of a vacancy I may have some pretensions to 
my Lord Lieutenant's favour; especially if his Grace 
shall not think fit to recommend my adversary to 
a Bishopric, without which I have little or no prospect 
of succeeding to the Deanery of Dromore. 

As to Mr Payzant's copying pieces out of our 
Library, it is at present so old and ruinous, and the 
books so out of order, that there is little attendance 
given ; beside it is unusual for strangers to be admitted 
to copy in it. The only way is for me to borrow in 
my own name and under caution any book that you 
would have copied, and so for Mr Payzant to tran- 
scribe it at home, which I will gladly do. Let me 
therefore know what your Lordship would have, and 
I will enquire if it be in our MS. library, which to 
speak the truth is but indifferently furnished. This 
with my respects to my good Lady Percival, your 
Lordship and all your family, not forgetting Mr Dering 
and Mrs Dering, is what occurs from, 

Y"" Lordship's, &c., 

G. Berkeley. 



PERCIVAL TO BERKELEY 199 

Percival to Berkeley. 

Charlton, 22'"^ Nov. 1722. 

You write with such indifference about your 
Deanery, that one would think the old times are 
returning, when the clergy fled into the wilderness to 
avoid a Bishopric. I am sure there is much of that 
spirit appears in the resignation you shew to the issue 
of Providence in this particular affair, a preferment 
which of all others pleased your mood as most agree- 
able to your health, studies, and the enjoyment of 
your friends. What encouragement the lawyers have 
given you to proceed in your suit since your last to 
me I know not, but I suspect it not to be great, as 
well from your way of writing, as from what a gentle- 
man told me some time ago, that he heard you begun 
to think you had not the right of your side. 

Your hint of the Deanery of Derry is good, if my 
Lord Burlington \ Leinster, or other of your friends 
here, who have the best interest with the Duke, would 
propose it to his Grace ; but surely it would be well 
worth your while to come over and animate their 
friendship in person. It would not retard your suit 
in Ireland, but would certainly promote any new 
project you entertain. Besides, by assuring yourself 
of the earliest intelligence from that side of any dignity 
worth your acceptance that shall fall in your absence, 
you will be upon the spot to make a sudden application 
yourself to the Duke, which is the likeliest means to 
get it, for the first applyer generally succeeds, and it is 
much harder to resist a personal application when not 
unreasonable, than that made by another in behalf of 
his friend. 

The interest I have with his Grace was, you know, 
not able to serve you in that small request you made 

1 \_Supra^ p. 179.] 



200 PERCIVAL TO BERKELEY 

him by me to give you a small living to help out the 
expenses of the suit ; and yet if it were greater, my 
brother Percival's affair, which I solicited long before 
your acquaintance with the Duke and lies yet un- 
finished, prevents me from urging the concerns of any 
other in that effectual manner which I could wish 
I had the liberty or credit with him to do; not to 
mention likewise another thing, which I beg you to 
keep secret because it was his Grace's commands to me 
that I should, my promotion to the rank of a Viscount, 
which without my asking, or in truth desiring, he told 
me he had asked of the King. This reason for secrecy 
was the application that others might make for a like 
mark of the King's favour, and therefore pray say 
nothing of it till you see it in the prints. I take 
notice of it to you, to make you sensible that by this 
and my brother's affair I am not at so great liberty 
as others to ask favours, were my interest with him 
before as great as theirs, which I am far from pre- 
tending to. But pray consider what I now and in my 
former letters did propose, that you should come over 
and in person take care of your affairs. 

I am now at Charlton, where I thought to stay the 
winter, if my wife's cholic which is returned upon her 
with very great severity did permit, but it obliges us 
to go to the Bath, as we shall do in about ten days or 
a fortnight. She has it every day and night, and I do 
not find that the physicians are of much use to her, 
other than now and then to give her a little ease, but 
they all advise to these waters. 

My children I thank God are all well and so are 
our other friends. I am pleased to hear that you 
enjoy your health and am ever, 

Y' affec* friend & hum'* Serv', 

Percival. 



BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 201 

Berkeley to Percival. 

London, xd^h Dec. 1722. 
My Lord, 

After so dangerous a voyage, and so long 
a journey, it is a great mortification to find myself 
disappointed of the principal pleasure I proposed in 
London, by your Lordship's and my Lady's absence 
at Bath. But the occasion is still more mortifying. 
I hope my good Lady finds the benefit she expected 
from those waters. If the Bath doth not perfect her 
cure, I know a place within a thousand leagues that 
I am persuaded will, if I can persuade her Ladyship 
to go thither. But more of this when I have the 
happiness to see you. 

For the present I have made an excursion into 
England, partly to see my friends, and partly to inform 
myself in some points of law which are not so well 
known in Ireland. I am heartily sorry that my suit 
is likely to call me back before your return to London, 
but if it should, I shall not be long without making 
another attempt to see you. 

I know not whether you have heard of our aban- 
doned condition at sea. For thirty-six hours together 
we expected every minute to be swallowed by a wave, 
or dashed in pieces against a rock. We sprung and 
split our mast, lost our anchor, and heaved our guns 
overboard. The storm and the sea ,were outrageous 
beyond description, but it pleased God to deliver us. 

I have services to you and my Lady from 
Mr Percival and Mrs Percival, as also an Irish 
prayer-book which your brother sends as a specimen 
of our good printing. 

The first house I went to was yours in Pall Mall, 
where I found the children very well, and was par- 
ticularly well pleased with my new acquaintance, your 



202 PERCIVAL TO BERKELEY 

youngest son, who is as fine a boy as the sun shines 
on. My humble service to my Lady and Mrs Bering. 

1 am, 

My L^ 

Y"' Lordship's most obed' 

& affec' Serv', 

G. Berkeley. 



D-^ S^ 



Percival to Berkeley. 

Bath, 2K^ Dec. 1722. 



You may believe I was very uneasy to hear 
you was on board the yacht, when at the same time we 
had no account of her but believed her lost. I con- 
gratulate [you on] your escape most heartily, and share 
in the pleasure your safe arrival in London gives your 
friends. 'Tis an addition to the trouble of a long 
winter's journey hither that I do not see you, and 
more so that by what you write me you propose to be 
gone again for Ireland before my return to London. 
I hope you have had frequent opportunities of seeing 
his Grace and improving his good intentions towards 
you. There are very few things would give me equal 
pleasure to that of hearing you had overcome this 
vexatious business of the Deanery. I was alarmed 
two posts ago with a report that the Duke was to quit 
his government, but to-day I had letters from those 
that ought to know that it is not true, I hope at least 
he will keep it until you either get your point, or have 
satisfaction made you some other way to your mind. 

My wife finds herself better within these few days 
from a vomit she took, but her cholic is too obstinate 
to yield presently. Here are several Irish gentry, as 



BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 203 

Lord Barrimore, Sir Pierce Butler and his Lady, 
Mr Mathew Ford and his family, Mr Buder, Lord 
Montgarret's son, Cousin Oliver and his Lady, Mr 
Stafford, Mrs Hambleton, &c. ; and some Scots, as 
the Duke of Queensbury, Lord Dunbarton and others : 
but I have no great acquaintance with any of them, 
and consequently am not here in full delight. I hope 
you received a letter I writ you to Dublin, wherein 
I enclosed one that came from beyond seas. 

We have little news here. Lady Blantyre died 
here two days ago, and Mr Rolt\ Parliament man 
from Chipenham, lies dangerously ill of the small-pox, 
which is pretty rife among us. My wife and sister 
give you their affectionate service, and I am ever, 

D-^ S^ 

¥■" hum'' & obed' Serv^ 

Percival. 



My Lord, 



Berkeley to Percival. 

London, March it^, 17^ 



It is now about ten months since I have 
determined with myself to spend the residue of my 
days in the Island of Bermuda, where I trust in 
Providence I may be the mean instrument of doing 
good to mankind. Your Lordship is not to be told 
that the reformation of manners among the English 
in our western plantations, and the propagation of the 
Gospel among the American savages, are two points 
of high moment. The natural way of doing this is 
by founding a college or seminary in some convenient 
part of the West Indies, where the English youth 

^ Deceased soon after. P. 



204 BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 

of our plantations may be educated in such sort as 
to supply the churches with pastors of good morals 
and good learning, a thing (God knows!) much wanted. 
In the same seminary a number of young American 
savages may be also educated till they have taken 
their degree of Master of Arts. And being by that 
time well instructed in Christian religion, practical 
mathematics, and other liberal arts and sciences, and 
early endued with public spirited principles and in- 
clinations, they may become the fittest missionaries 
for spreading religion, morality, and civil life, among 
their countrymen, who can entertain no suspicion or 
jealousy of men of their own blood and language, 
as they might do of English missionaries, who can 
never be so well qualified for that work. Some at- 
tempts have been made towards a college in the West, 
but to little purpose, chiefly I conceive for want of 
a proper situation wherein to place such college or 
seminary, as also for want of a sufficient number of 
able men well qualified with divine and human learning, 
as well as with zeal to prosecute such an undertaking. 
As to the first, I do think the small group of Bermuda 
Islands the fittest spot for a college on the following 
accounts, i. It is the most equidistant part of our 
plantations from all the rest, whether in the continent, 
or the isles. 2. It is the only Plantation that holds 
a general commerce and correspondence with all the 
rest, there being sixty cedar ships belonging to the 
Bermudians, which they employ as carriers to all parts 
of the English West Indies, in like manner as the 
Dutch are carriers in Europe. 3. The climate is by 
far the healthiest and most serene, and consequently 
the most fit for study. 4. There is the greatest 
abundance of all the necessary provisions for life, 
which is much to be considered in a place of education. 
5. It is the securest spot in the universe, being en- 
vironed round with rocks all but one narrow entrance, 
guarded by seven forts, which render it inaccessible 
not only to pirates but to the united force of France 



BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 205 

and Spain. 6. The inhabitants have the greatest 
simplicity of manners, more innocence, honesty, and 
good nature, than any of our other planters, who are 
many of them descended from whores, vagabonds, and 
transported criminals, none of which ever settled in 
Bermudas. 7. The Islands of Bermuda produce no 
one enriching commodity, neither sugar, tobacco, indigo, 
or the like, which may tempt men from their studies to 
turn traders, as the parsons do too often elsewhere. 

It would take up too much of your Lordship's time 
minutely to describe the beauties of Bermuda, the 
summers refreshed with constant cool breezes, the 
winters as mild as our May, the sky as light and blue 
as a sapphire, the ever green pastures, the earth 
eternally crowned with fruits and flowers. The woods 
of cedars, palmettos, myrtles, oranges &:c., always fresh 
and blooming. The beautiful situations and prospects 
of hills, vales, promontories, rocks, lakes and sinuses of 
the sea. The great variety, plenty, and perfection 
of fish, fowl, vegetables of all kinds, and (which is in 
no other of our Western Islands) the most excellent 
butter, beaf, veal, pork, and mutton. But above all, 
that uninterrupted health and alacrity of spirit, which 
is the result of the finest weather and gentlest climate 
in the world, and which of all others is the most , 
effectual cure for the cholic, as I am most certainly 
assured by the information of many very credible 
persons of all ranks who have been there. 

In case I carry Deanery (as I have good hopes 
I shall) I design to erect a charity school in Dromore, 
and to maintain ten savages and ten whites in the 
Bermudan University. But whatever happens, go 
I am resolved if I live. Half a dozen of the most 
agreeable and ingenious men of our college are with 
me in this project. And since I came hither I have 
got together about a dozen English men of quality, 
and gentlemen, who intend to retire to these islands, 
to build villas and plant gardens, and to enjoy health 
of body and peace of mind, where they have a soft 



2o6 D. BERING TO PERCIVAL 

freestone like that at Bath, and a soil which produces 
everything that grows in America, Europe, or the 
East, and where a man may Hve with m.ore pleasure 
and dignity for ^500 p. annum than for ;^i 0,000 here: 
in short where men may find, in fact, whatsoever the 
most poetical imagination can figure to itself in the 
golden age, or the Elysian fields. 

I have been proposing every day this month past 
to trouble you with this narrative, and have at last 
ventured to do it, tho' I run the risk of being thought 
mad and chimerical. But I beg your Lordship not 
to determine anything of me or my project till I have 
the honour of seeing you at Charlton, which I hope 
for this summer, and thereto lay before you a thousand 
things relating to the scheme, the method of carrying- 
it on, and answering objections against it. In the 
meantime I am going to Ireland, for three months, or 
four at most, by which time my lawsuit will probably 
be ended. If I can make a convert of your Lordship 
to Bermuda, I doubt not my Lady will be pleased to 
pass a few years there for the perfect recovery of her 
health, to which that climate will contribute beyond 
anything in the world. My heartiest good wishes and 
best respects to her Ladyship, 

I am, &c., 
G. Berkeley. 



D. Dering to Percival. 

London, ^^h March, i/af. 
My Dear Lord, 

My wife tells me she has writ to my sister 
a letter of five pages, and consequently has told her 
all the news this town affords. And I enclose to you 
one from the Dean of Dromore (which as I told him 
I opened) and finds he set forth his Bermuda designs 



BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 207 

with the same earnestness that he really and bona fide 
pursues them, I am not allowed till I see you to 
name names, but you will be surprised when you hear 
the company he has engaged to go with him. Young 
and old, learned and rich, all desirous of retiring to 
enjoy peace of mind and health of body, and of re- 
storing the golden age in that corner of the world. 
How far they are right I cannot say, but I am sure he 
is in the right to get the most agreeable company he 
can to enable him to go through with a project which 
certainly in its foundation is truly Christian and noble, 
and so I heartily wish him success in it. He set out 
this morning for Dublin, from whence I am still without 
an answer from Charles [Dering], but expect one every 
post. The two families of the Schutz's are with me, 
and desire their humble services, but will not allow 
me more time than to assure you that I am ever your 
and my sister's most affectionately, 

D[aniel] D[ering]. 

Little George cut a great tooth yesterday, and is 
very well; Johnny is gone to the Opera, and Kitty 
with my wife. The face I am assured is entirely and 
without correction Johnny's performance. 



My Lord, 



Berkeley to Percival. 

Trinity College, Dublin, ^t^^June, 1723. 



The kind concern you have always shewn 
for my interests hath made it become my duty to 
inform you of any great advantage that should befall 
me. Some thing of that sort is just now come to pass, 
that probably will surprise your Lordship as much as 
it doth me. Mrs Hester van Omry, a Lady to whom 
I was a perfect stranger, having never in the whole 



2o8 BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 

course of my life, to my knowledge, exchanged one 
single word with her, died on Sunday night. Yesterday 
her will was opened, by which it appears that I am 
constituted executor, the advantage whereof is com- 
puted by those who understand her affairs to be worth 
three thousand pounds, and if a suit she had depending 
be carried, it will be considerably more. But this is 
only a confused gross reckoning; in a little time I hope 
to see more distinctly into the state of her affairs. If 
this had not happened, I was determined to write to 
your Lordship by this post on my Lady's account. 
I am heartily sorry to hear she is not so well recovered 
of her cholic by the Bath as I could wish, and do 
therefore repeat and insist on the advice I formerly 
gave her Ladyship to go and drink the waters of 
Geronster near Spa. If this does not perfect her 
cure, there is nothing left but your and her going 
to Bermuda, where to enjoy the company of you all 
in good health, would be as great a blessing as I can 
figure to myself upon earth. 

I know not what your thoughts are on the long 
account I sent you from London to Bath of my 
Bermuda scheme, (which is now stronger on my mind 
than ever, this providential event having made many 
things easy in my private affairs which were otherwise 
before). But I hear that Mr Moore reports that you 
are terrified with the apprehension of earthquakes. 
Upon the word of a priest, I am thoroughly convinced 
that an earthquake was never known to have happened 
in Bermuda. The Summer Islands are all to my certain 
knowledge freer from earthquakes than that on which 
you now live. There is not (I may say without vanity) 
a man in the world, who never was in the Summer 
Islands, that knows so much of them as I do; and this 
of the earthquakes is a most villanous calumny, set 
about by somebody who wants objections against the 
scheme, as I could easily prove by arguments and 
testimonies to your Lordship; but that I am in a 
prodigious hurry, the Lady being to be buried in 



PERCIVAL TO BERKELEY 209 

a little more than an hour's time. Her funeral is 
under the direction of the King at arms, where I am 
to act I know not what part, which puts an end to 
this hasty scrawl. 

I am, my Lord, 

Y' Lordship's most obed' 

and most hum'^ Serv', 

Geo. Berkeley. 



Dear S', 



Percival to Berkeley. 

Spa, 'ipi^ June^ 1723. 



I arrived here two days ago, and yesterday 
had the pleasure of receiving your letter, dated 4''' inst., 
which gives me an account of the convincing proof that 
a deceased Lady has given of her value for you when 
living. I congratulate you upon it from the bottom 
of my heart, and all the company with me received 
an inexpressible pleasure at the account. I hope it is 
only an earnest of the good things Providence has in 
store for a person so disinterested as you have ever 
been, and who will make so good use of the favours 
it shall bestow. 

We all conclude that you will now persist in your 
thoughts of settling in Bermuda, and prosecute that 
noble scheme, which if favoured by our Court may in 
some time exalt your name beyond that of St Xavier, 
or any the most famous missions abroad ; but without 
the protection and encouragement of the government 
you will meet with difficulties of sundry sorts from 
governors abroad, and from persons in office at home, 
as the Commissioners of the Plantation, the Society 

R. 14 



2IO PERCIVAL TO BERKELEY 

de propaganda Fide, and even the Bishop of London, 
under whom the care of the Plantations in reHgious 
matters lies as you know. Not that any of them can 
oppose the design you go upon, in general, but they 
may perplex you in the manner of carrying it on, 
unless you first settle every thing with them in part, 
and procure an assured protection from the supreme 
' power. But both your own wisdom and the piety of 
the design will I am sure conduct it through, and then 
you will have the honour of wiping off the reproach, 
which Papists cast on us, of not having the care of 
infidels' souls at heart. But whether you go, or stay, 
in whatever station you are placed, and whatever 
scheme of life you resolve on, you have my best 
wishes to attend you. 

My wife has to this hour the cholic, and but for 
laudanum, which more or less she takes every day, 
would be very miserable; even with it she can but 
barely support herself. It was the disappointment she 
met with in the several waters at home, and the number 
of medicines prescribed her (all without effect), that 
determined her to leave her children and take your 
advice of coming to Geronster. We shall in a few 
days see what we are to expect from these waters, but 
at present the season is so wet we cannot begin them. 
I pray God they may prove successful, for after this, 
if she should not recover, I know not what she can do, 
but give herself up to laudanum for life. I am, 

Y"^ affec' & hum'^ Serv*, 

Percival. 



BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 211 



My Lord, 



Berkeley to PercivaL 
Trinity College, Dublin, 19^'^ Sept. 1723. 



I heartily congratulate your and good Lady 
Percival's safe arrival at Charlton, though I must own 
the pleasure this incident would otherwise have given 
me is not a little alloyed by the account I hear of her 
Ladyship's not receiving all the benefit she expected 
from the Spa waters. I hope however that she is 
considerably eased, but for a perfect cure of so rooted 
a disorder, it must I believe under God be the effect 
of time and change of air. Besides my best wishes 
and prayers for her Ladyship's health, I will venture 
to contribute my mite of advice, how extravagant 
however it may seem, and that is to try the air of the 
summer Islands which I am thoroughly satisfied is the 
best in the world, and particularly good for the cholic. 
And in good earnest what is a year's or two years' 
confinement there in competition with her health, which 
I am sure your Lordship can never be easy without. 

In my last I gave an account of a legacy left me 
by a Lady. Since that, looking into her affairs we 
find her debts to have been considerably greater than 
we imagined. I am, nevertheless, still likely to make 
two thousand pound clear, not reckoning in the law suit 
depending between the executors and Mr Partinton. 

As to the suit about the Deanery of Dromore, 
I despair of seeing it end to my advantage. The 
Deanery of Down is now vacant, but there is such 
a crowd of competitors for everything, that I cannot 
promise myself success without such assiduity and 
attendance as I hardly think it deserves. The truth 
is, my first purpose of going to Bermuda sets me 
above soliciting anything with earnestness in this part 
of the world, which can now be of no use to me, but as 
it may enable me the better to prosecute that design: 
and it must be owned that the present possession of 
something in the Church would make my application 

14 — 2 



212 PERCIVAL TO BERKELEY 

for an establishment in these Islands more considered. 
I mean a Charter for a College there, which of all 
things I desire, as being what would reconcile duty 
and inclination, making my life at once more useful to 
the public and more agreeable to myself than I can 
possibly expect elsewhere. And as I am to run into 
visions on this subject, I have sometimes thought it 
not quite impossible that you and my Lady may some- 
time or other take a fancy to retire to that part of the 
world. But I dare only think this possible, and if it 
be otherwise should be sorry to be undeceived. I am 
with all respect. My Lord, 

Y'' Lordship's most obed' most hum'* 

& affec^ Serv', 

Georg. Berkeley. 



Dear S', 



Percival to Berkeley. 

London, %*''■ Oct. 172^. 



It is always with great pleasure I hear from 
you, and especially when you inform me of anything 
falling out to your advantage or satisfaction. The legacy 
you write me of, you was so kind to let me know 
before, and I congratulated you upon it, as I do again, 
heartily wishing the lawsuit may end in your favour. 
I know no body deserves it better, as on other accounts, 
so for the good use you will make of it. I could only 
wish this Providence had come a year later, that you 
might not be so negligent as you appear to be in your 
pursuits at court, where you know nothing is to be 
had without strong soliciting, especially when such 
a number of competitors shew themselves, and in a 
time of Parliament, Surely the Deanery of Down is 
worth all lawful ways of obtaining, and he who is 
most deserving of it ought to make the strongest 



PHILIP PERCIVAL TO PERCIVAL 213 

pushes, because he seems to have a moral right to it. 
I can say no more but that I earnestly wish it you. 

I am extremely obliged to you for your concern for 
my wife, who is returned from the Geronster without 
finding |he good effects from those waters she expected ; 
but that journey gave her the opportunity of consulting 
foreign physicians, particularly the famous Dr Boerhaave^ 
of Leyden, who upon a full knowledge of her case has 
ordered her some pills, a drink, and constant exercise 
on horseback. This will oblige her to stay the winter at 
Charlton, where she may go all day long in her riding 
habit, and not be prevented in her course by impertinent 
visits, or frightened by coaches and carts. I need not 
tell you how agreeably your company there would 
make us pass our time, but since we cannot hope for 
it speedily, pray make it up in part by letting us hear 
from you. 

My wife gives you her affectionate service, and 
desires me to tell you that while she follows Boerhaave's 
prescription to ride, she cannot think of going to 
Bermuda, where she understands there are nothing 
but rocks and rugged paths. 

I am ever, 

Y' affec' & hum^^ Serv', 

Percival. 



Philip Pei^cival'^ to Percival. 

Dublin, 9'-^ Nov. 1723. 
Dear Brother, 

Perhaps you may wonder I have entertained 
you so little with an account of the debates in Parlia- 
ment, but it was as little in my power, for in the Lord's 

1 [Hermann Boerhaave (1668 — 1738), a physician widely consulted 
in his time.] 

2 From my brother Percival. P. 



214 PHILIP PERCIVAL TO PERCIVAL 

House there is nothing to do, and the Commons are 
grown so retired, that they shut themselves up, and 
will let nobody in, and thus we know nothing till the 
votes appear, which I suppose Mr Payzant sends you. 

I believe you are no stranger to Dr B^keley's 
inclination for the Island of Bermuda, and for want of 
news I here send you some verses*, which a little nymph 
about five or six years old, dressed all up in flowers 
and myrtle, surprised him with at his chambers. As 
she was perfectly unknown to him and came alone, he 
had various conjectures in his mind what this meant ; 
and upon asking her several questions, which she still 
answered in French and in ambiguous terms, he at 
last began to mistrust it was some French child de- 
signed to be left on his hands, and got his hat and 
made the best of his way down stairs. 

Some curious people here have been looking sharp 
for the comet, and some have pretended to have dis- 
covered it, but others say they were mistaken ; however, 
there was a meteor discerned last week, which appeared 
round and vastly larger than the moon, but as I did 
not see it myself, I cannot be particular in the descrip- 
tion. It was seen about six o'clock. 

I am afraid the change in the weather will not 
prove favourable for my sister's ordering what was 
recommended to her, and am heartily sorry she stands 
in need of it. We are all her well wishers, and the 
same to the children, who I hope are well. 

Dear Brother, &c., 

Philip Percival. 



* To the Rev^ Dr Berkeley. The Humble Petition 
of Anne de la Terre. 

Dear Doctor, here comes a young virgin untainted 
To your shrine at Bermuda, to be marry'd and 
sainted : 



PHILIP PERCIVAL TO PERCIVAL 215 

Fme young and I'me soft, and am blooming and tender 
Of all that I have I make you surrender. 
My innocence led by the voice of your fame, 
To your person and virtue must put in its claim; 
And now I behold you, I truly believe 
That you're as like Adam as I am like Eve, 
Before the dire Serpent their virtue betray'd 
And made them to fly from the sun to the shade. 
But you, as in you a new race were begun, 
Are teaching to fly from the shade to the sun : 
For you in great goodness your friends are persuading 
To go and to live and be wise in your Eden. 
Oh ! let me go with you ; Oh ! pity my youth. 
Oh take me from hence, let me not lose my truth. 
Sure you, who have virtue so much in your mind, 
Can't think to leave me, who am Virtue, behind! 
If you make me your wife. Sir, in time you may 

fill a 
Whole town with our children, and likewise your villa. 
I famous for breeding, you, famous for knowledge, 
I'll found a whole nation, you'll found a whole col- 
lege. 
When many long ages in joys we have spent. 
Our souls we'll resign with the utmost content, 
And gently we'll sink beneath cypress and yew, 
You lying by me, and I lying by you. 



Philip Percival to Percival. 

Dublin, 2\t^ April, 172^. 
Dear Brother, 

Since your last, great alterations have hap- 
pened by the change of our government, so that I may 
say, that all my ill-boding fear in relation to my affair 
which has given you so much trouble, has at last 
ended just as I apprehended. But as his Grace^ is 

1 Duke of Grafton. P. 



2i6 PHILIP PERCIVAL TO PERCIVAL 

now appointed Lord Chamberlayn, and has I am told 
no less than two hundred employments from ^200 to 
;!^I200 p. ann., I think the least he can do is to give 
me one of them, as a proof that he was sincere in what 
he promised before. 

I believe it may be wondered at in England that 
his Grace continues so long here, but the great number 
of livings and deaneries, which have lately become 
vacant by death or promotions, have occasioned such 
variety of schemes that I believe his Grace has not 
been a little perplexed how to dispose of them, the 
legion of candidates being many and very importunate. 
They certainly are good solicitors, and were you some- 
times at the castle it would make you laugh to see the 
whole piazza crowded to that degree that Dr Berkeley 
was ashamed to be seen among them and used to 
retire to the garden. It was really comical to see 
long Northcote^ stalking, and little ShadwelP waddling 
about whilst fat Dean DanieP was storming at Berkeley's 
having the Deanery of Derry, a man who he said had 
never declared himself, so that he could not tell what 
principles he held, where himself had declared himself 
in the worst of times vehemently: which (to do him 
justice) he certainly did constantly twice and thrice 
every day in Lucas's Coffee House, Sundays even not 
excepted. He was inveighing bitterly one day in this 
manner to the Bishop of Femes, who let him run on 
for about half an hour, and then whispered him in the 
ear Berkeley will have it for all that, which made him 
rage ten times more. 

Philip Percival, 

^ He died at last Dean of Cloyne, a contentious worthless man, 
Sept. 1730. P. 

^ Shadwell, a brother of Sir Jo. Shadwell, the physician, a contemptible 
creature, that lived by setting up an insurance office in lives, and had no 
literature, yet rose by the heat of party to be a Dean. P. 

^ Dean Daniel in 1732 advanced to the best Deanery in Ireland, that 
of Down worth ^1600 p. ann., and poetaster, as worthless as Dean 
Northcote. P. 




George Berkeley, Dean of Derry 



BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 217 

Berkeley^ to Percival. 

Trin. Coll. Dublin, ^t'^ May, 1724. 
My Lord, 

After a long silence which was purely occasioned 
by my not knowing what to say, and expecting every 
day to be able to say something with certainty of my 
affairs (which I flattered myself might not be disagree- 
able to one from whom I have received so many 
instances of favour and goodness), I can now tell your 
Lordship, that yesterday I received my patent for the 
best Deanery in this kingdom, that of Derry. The affair 
of Dromore^ is still undecided, and likely to be so for 
some years, but it is now in other hands, God be praised. 

I have had powerful competitors, who used many 
arts to undermine me: but two livings worth £joo 
per ann. happening to fall in the gift of the College, 
which the House, to further my promotion, was so 
kind as to put into the disposal of my Lord Duke, 
this gave a strong turn in my favour, I am very 
sensible how much the Duchess hath been my friend, 
and as sensible how much I am indebted for that to 
good Lady Percival. 

This Deanery is said to be worth ^1500 p. ann., 
but then there are four curates to be paid, and great 
charges upon entering, for a large house and offices, 
first fruits, patent, &c. which will consume the first 
year's profit, and part of the second. But as I do not 
consider it with an eye to enriching myself, so I shall 
be perfectly contented if it facilitates and recommends 
my scheme of Bermuda, which I am in hopes will 
meet with a better reception when it comes from one 
possessed of so great a Deanery. I am the fonder of 
Bermuda because I take it to be the likeliest means 

^ From Dr Berkeley that he is made Dean of Derry. P. 
2 The crown had presented Dr Berkeley to it, but the Bishop contested 
it with him at law. P. 



2i8 PERCIVAL TO BERKELEY 

under heaven to re-establish my Lady's health, which 
I know your just tenderness for her will put you on 
restoring by all possible methods. I intend to-morrow 
for the North in order to my instalment and taking 
possession. When that is over, I may trouble your 
Lordship with another letter, till when, I conclude, 
My Lord, 

Y' most, &c., 

George Berkeley. 



Dear Sir, 



Percival to Berkeley. 

Charlton, 2^^^. May, 1724. 



I cannot easily express the satisfaction I 
received in the account you lately sent me of your 
promotion to the Deanery of Derry. I was very 
uneasy to see your preferment held so long in suspense, 
and knowing your desert every way far exceeded that 
of the other pretenders (so that there ought to have 
been no deliberation whom to prefer) I grew fearful 
that some powerful interest had prevailed or rather 
necessitated the Duke to give that most honourable 
and profitable vacancy to some other person, and the 
rather because he never actually promised it you. But 
now he has shewn the world he has a regard to merit, 
and also that those friends who applied to him in your 
favour have some interest with him; and 'tis a great 
pleasure to me to find I was not mistaken in his 
character, when I pronounced him a man of discernment 
and honour. 

I waited on her Grace to thank her for her sincerity 
to you. She spoke a great deal in your commendation 
and expressed her satisfaction in having as she believes 
been some way assisting to you in this affair; for she 



BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 219 

said you had some pretended friends who undertook 
to serve you with the Duke, and yet did you all the 
hurt they could; but she discovered their false dealing 
to him, and set all matters right. She did not name 
them, but seemed full of indignation, and could not 
forbear mentioning the same again to my wife. 

I see you persist in your Bermuda scheme, which 
if it go on must owe its success to the Christian and 
disinterested view of the projector. But unless the 
Government encourage it, it will certainly be impossible 
for you to go through with it ; for no private subject 
can support such a work when begun, unless the King 
commands the Governours in those parts to favour and 
protect it. I suppose when your affairs are settled in 
Ireland, this business will bring you over, and then 
I shall hope for the pleasure of your company at 
Charlton, where you have I can assure you as many 
friends as there are persons under my roof. 

My wife is much obliged to you for your constant 
concern for her health, but says she must consider the 
Bermuda scheme over and over before she can fix her 
resolution to go so far, even for the recovery of health, 
which indeed is far from well. The rest of my family 
is I thank God in a good state, and my children proceed 
well in their studies. All give their service to you. 
And I am, &c. 

Percival. 



My Lord, 



Berkeley to Percival. 

Elphin, 8'^' June, 1 724. 



I am now on my return from Derry, where 
I have taken possession of my Deanery, and farmed out 
my tithe lands, &c. for ;^i 250 a year. I am assured they 
are worth two hundred pounds per ann. more, but thought 
it better to have men of substantial fortunes engaged 



220 BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 

for the punctual payment of the foregoing sum, than 
by keeping them in my own hands to subject myself to 
all that trouble, and all those cheats which Dissenters 
(whereof we have many about Derry) are inclined to 
practice towards the clergy of our Church. 

The city of Londonderry is the most compact, 
regular, well built town, that I have seen in the King's 
Dominions, the town house (no mean structure) stands 
in the midst of a square piazza from which there are 
four principal streets leading to as many gates. It is 
a walled town, and has walks all round on the walls 
planted with trees, as in Padua. The Cathedral is the 
prettiest in Ireland. My house is a fashionable thing, 
not five years old, and cost eleven hundred pounds. 
The Corporation are all good churchmen, a civil 
people, and throughout English, being a colony from 
London. I have hardly seen a more agreeable 
situation, the town standing on a peninsula in the 
midst of a fine spreading lake, environed with green 
hills, and at a distance the noble ridge of Ennishawen 
mountains and the mighty rocks of Maghilligan form 
a most august scene. There is indeed much of the 
gusto grande in the laying out of this whole country, 
which recalls to mind many prospects of Naples and 
Sicily. 

After all I may chance not to be twopence the 
richer for this preferment, for by the time I have paid 
for the house and first fruits, I hope I shall have 
brought the Bermuda project to an issue, which, God 
willing, is to be my employment this winter in London, 
where I long for the pleasure of waiting on your 
Lordship and good Lady Percival, to whom with the 
rest of the family I beg you to give my most humble 
and affectionate respects. 

I remain, 

&c., 

Geo. Berkeley. 



BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 221 

Berkeley to Percival. 

Trin. Coll. Dub. 9'-^ Sept. 1724. 
My Lord, 

I am now, bless God, quite at ease from a 
cruel periodical cholic which seized me after my return 
from Derry. For several days it was very violent, 
but the loss of thirty-six ounces of blood with about 
a dozen purgings and vomitings, reduced both it and 
me to a very weak state. I have now and then 
inclinations of a relapse which hath made me entertain 
thoughts of going to Bath, Bristol, or Tunbridge. 
I am not yet determined which, but propose going the 
first opportunity for England, where I hope to find 
your Lordship, my Lady, and all your good family, if not 
so well as I could wish, at least in a way of being 
thoroughly recovered and established in good health 
by a year's or two years' residence in Bermuda, which 
I earnestly recommend to you. This I must own 
looks like a selfish proposal. But though I cannot 
deny that it would delight me beyond measure, yet 
I doubt not when I see you to prove by good argu- 
ments that your own and my Lady's interest is as 
much consulted in this project as my satisfaction. 
I have so many things to say on this head that if 
I once begun I should soon exceed the bounds of a 
letter, and shall therefore only add (with my best 
respects to your Lordship, my Lady, and all your 
family), that in the hopes of seeing you soon, I re- 
main with the greatest sincerity. 

My Lord, 

Y'^ Lordship's most obed' 

and most obliged humble Serv', 

G. Berkeley. 

Yesterday Wood's effigy was carried in procession 
by the mob through most of the streets of this town 



222 PHILIP PERCIVAL TO PERCIVAL 

in order to be hanged or burnt, but it is given out by 
them that the Lord Mayor hath reprieved him till 
Wednesday. It is hardly possible to express the 
indignation which all ranks of men shew on this 
occasion. 



Philip Percival to Percival. 

Dublin, iqf'- Jan. 1724/5. 

Two or three days past, Ned Dering to our no 
little surprise enterd into the holy state of matrimony 
with one M'' Jones, a widow, who has brought him 
;^300 p. annum jointure and ^3000 in money, which 
I hear he has taken care to have secured to him at 
least for life. I believe she is not very young, but as 
prudence was his motive I think he has done very 
well to make himself easy, and he seems perfectly well 
satisfied. 

For a wonder, we have had two fair days which 
we have hardly known this two months, but we have 
an ugly spotted fever in town which has made havoc, 
many having got it and few escaped. One young lady 
a daughter of Cousin Doppins, the Clergyman, who 
was married but a few weeks, died of it, as did 
M'' Robin King, who likewise was married very lately, 
he was S' Harry Kings brother, and was one of the 
lives in Harry Derings Patent. 

Some time since we had a letter of D'^ Berkeley in 
which he gave us an ace' that his intended scheme for 
Bermundus met with great approbation and would 
certainly succeed to his wish. No doubt he has had 
some conversation with you on that subject, and I 
should be glad to know your opinion of it. No doubt 
'tis a grand design and will not only prove a great 
means of propagating Christianity in the Western 
World, but will also be of the greatest service to the 
English interest thereby preventing the intrigues of 



PERCIVAL TO PHILIP PERCIVAL 223 

the Jesuits, who under the appearance of missionaries 
whose care was rehgion have spirited up the Indians 
to be our mortal enemies and do us all imaginable 
mischiefs. And certainly the Doctor deserves to be 
highly commended, who for a public good and the 
cause of religion would give up a Deanery, which is 
actually worth him 1 1 or 1 200^ p. annum, to retire 
and labour when he might live here at his ease. I 
believe there are not many such to be found, though 
I believe several of the Fellows of our College here 
are determined to bear him company in his laudable 
undertaking, and I assure you they are none of the 
least ingenious or learned of our Society. 

I shall desire you to give my most humble service 
to my Sister, who I am sorry to find is obliged to have 
recourse to laudanum. 

My love to my nephew and nieces and believe me 
always 

Dear Brother 

¥"■ most Obed' & hum. Serv', 

Ph: Percival. 



Percival to Philip Percival. 

Charlton, 6 Feb^ 1724/5. 
Dear Brother, 

1 am always glad to hear of my Cosen Dering's 
success in the world, and particularly that Ned has 
married so well. 

You desire to know my opinion of Dean Berkeley's 
resolution for Bermudas. It is I think a most com- 
mendable and rational scheme, deserving the good word 
and encouragement of all who wish well to Christianity, 
virtue, and good literature. I have been long a 
favourer of it, and design to contribute 200;!^. The 
reasons he gives in his Pamphlet for settling a College 
there rather than on the continent of America are not 



224 PERCIVAL TO PHILIP PERCIVAL 

to be answered. It is the healthfulest spot in the 
universe — not by his only but the accounts of all who 
have ever been there. The natives are likewise 
entirely free from luxury, and though very numerous, 
yet live cheap. My Lady Stapelton, who went thither 
for her health, and enjoyed it while she remained 
there, can never leave off commending, when put upon 
that subject. She says her house keeping during five 
months with twenty one in family cost but a hundred 
pounds. These advantages of a healthy clim.ate, 
exemption from luxury, and cheapness of living, are 
all of the greatest importance to the education of 
youth. For the rest, I know not a better proof of 
the happiness of the situation than the number of in- 
habitants, who though they have but little trade, and 
consequently no great wealth, yet cannot be prevailed 
on to quit it, as we see people do in all other places 
on the like account. The richest man there has not 
above two hundred pounds a year, and of these down 
to the worth of a thousand pounds, there are as I 
have been informed about fifty families. Of all the 
numerous islands which compose the Bermudas, there 
are but five inhabited, and of them only one to any 
purpose, but in that one alone, which is but twenty- 
four miles long and a mile broad, there are many 
thousand inhabitants, and D"" H alley late Sec^ to the 
Royal Society told me that when he was there about 
40 years ago the Governour mustered 2000 lusty white 
men under arms, the least 6 foot high, a number 
sufficient to defend themselves against any foreign 
power, the difficulty of entering their few harbours 
considered. So many inhabitants together with their 
fondness for the place has made there land 40 years 
purchase. The Doctor told me he was there the 
middle of June, and it was as in May with us. In 
short, I have wondered since I enquired about these 
islands, how it came to pass that I have not heard 
of any of our broken traders in South Sea returning 
thither for shelter, or to repair their fortunes. The 
greatest objection to the place as I found in a book 



PERCIVAL TO PHILIP PERCIVAL 225 

published several years ago is that those who once go 
thither never care to come back, or if they do, hanker 
after returning so as to make their life uneasie. 

If my wife's cholick continues and physicians advise 
warmer climate it is not impossible but we may try 
that air; for my own particular, as I have no ambitious 
views to keep me in this part of the world, I form to 
my self the greatest pleasure that can be in enjoying 
my family with consummate health in a happy climate, 
in company of a set of ingenious, virtuous, and pious 
men, and with relations, or other friends whose notions 
and amusements fall in with my own. And I know 
not why in time that little spot may not become the 
Athens of the world, since the persons who intend to 
go are men every way qualified to raise learning to as 
high a pitch as we know it was in that of Greece. 

The Dean is now busy in getting out his Charter, 
and intends when all things are prepared to set out 
April come twelvemonth. 

As to the particulars of his scheme, which he and 
I have talked often over, I leave it to him to acquaint 
his friends, I shall only say, that it here meets with 
encouragement from all sorts of people. 

I can say nothing as to Wood's patent, who, I do 
believe, has ceased coining for the present, but I fear 
your intelligence that his mint is broken and materials 
sold is not true. Our last security will be a permanent 
resolution not to take his half pence, and keep a 
watchful eye on all who when they think our vigour 
abates shall clandestinely endeavour to disperse them. 

You have all kind services from hence. D. Dering 
desires his compliments to Ned on his marriage, as I 
do. Sign" Ignatio, the Italian Painter, it seems is in 
Dublin. If you can do him any service I should be 
glad, for he is a very modest man and deserving in 
his way. 

I am &c., 

Percival. 

R. 15 



226 BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 



My Lord, 



Berkeley to Percival. 

London, 28'^^ December, i72S- 



Nothing could be more elegant or suitable to 
my fancy than the present I have the honour to receive 
from your Lordship. I cannot pretend to thank you 
with the same politeness and good taste with which 
you confer your favours, and shall only say as often as 
I cast my eye on the great men of antiquity, I shall 
have the pleasure to think of your Lordship who was 
one of the few {antiquis moribus) that can appear 
without disadvantage in such company. 

I wish your Lordship, my Lady, and all your good 
family, a happy new year, and as nothing can con- 
tribute to make it so more than her Ladyship's health, 
I shall for a new year's gift send you a receipt for 
curing or giving sudden ease to a fit of the cholic, which 
I learned the other day from the Bishop of Asaph. 
He assured me a clergyman in Wales had tried it on 
forty or fifty persons in very violent fits and never 
knew it once to fail. It is only drinking a pint of 
good fresh coffee. A lesser quantity may give ease, 
but this is said entirely to take away the pain and put 
an end to the fit. I knew that coffee is commonly 
thought to cause a trembling in the nerves, and yet 
I have known some very good drinkers of it, who 
never were affected with any such symptom. But 
allowing it to be prejudicial, it can only be so upon 
habitual drinking of it; and there is no medicine what- 
soever that would not be prejudicial, if one was constantly 
to breakfast on it. Whereas if coffee be only taken 
medicinally now and then in a painful fit of the cholic, 
I am persuaded such a use of it cannot induce an ill 
habit on the nerves, nor be a hundredth part so 
dangerous as laudanum. This medicine was recom- 
mended in such strong terms, from so good a hand, and 
such manifold experience, that from the first moment 



PERCIVAL TO BERKELEY 227 

I heard of it, I was resolved to send you this account. 
I heartily wish it may be found useful to my Lady. 

My long stay in town and great hurry of business 
had made fresh air and exercise necessary for my 
health. In this view I set out in September on a 
journey through eight or nine counties of England. 
I never travelled in worse roads or worse weather, so 
that all the advantage I got must be imputed to the 
motion. I doubt the same may be said of my Lady 
who at Paris is (as to the air) but one remove from the 
dirt and fog and smoke of London. Fine air and 
proper ^diversions together cannot be hoped for on this 
side Bermuda. Now I have mentioned Bermuda, 
I must acquaint your Lordship (who is so good a 
friend to it) that the subscriptions amount to ^3400, 
though the town hath been very thin ever since 
I obtained the Charter. On the meeting of Parlia- 
ment I have good hopes of seeing our affairs thrive. 
The desiring of that and His Majesty's absence have 
been such drawbacks, that I begin to fear it will 
not be possible for me to visit the Island this spring. 
I conclude with my humblest service and best wishes 
to you all. 

My Lord, 

Y^ Lordship's 

most obed' and most obliged Serv', 

Geo. Berkeley. 



Dear Sir, 



Percival to Berkeley. 

Paris, ag''-^ Dec. O.S. 1725. 



I lately sent you the impressions of some 
seals in the French King's collection, which being- 
most of them good, though trifles, there is some 
curiosity in them, and may give you some pleasure. 



15—2 



228 PERCIVAL TO BERKELEY 

You having expressed a liking to such things when 
I saw you at Charlton, I ventured to send them to 
you. They are left for you at my house in Pall 
Mall. 

I have heard with more joy than I can express 
the good progress you daily make in your Bermuda 
design, and particularly the favourable intentions 
Mr Lesley has to encourage it by giving the greatest 
part of his fortune to it. I should be glad to know 
from yourself that this is true, and with it what 
encouragement you have hitherto received from others. 
I have not been idle to recommend your scheme to 
the English gentry here, though without success, but 
perhaps when they return to England and see how 
well it is approved there they may incline to do their 
parts. 

We have passed here some months and shall 
remain till the spring when we propose to leave the 
kingdom and travel eastward, but whither is not 
settled. My wife spends her time as agreeably here 
as can be, considering she is at a distance from her 
relations and friends. Her cholic has been well to a 
miracle for two months past or more, so that she 
has laid aside her laudanum. But two colds, which 
seized her one after the other, confine her to her 
chamber. 

If you are curious in the controversy now on foot 
concerning the validity of an English ordination, the 
book wrote by Father Courayer our side, and the 
answer made by Father le Quient, (both which I under- 
stand are translated into English), will entertain you. 
The former tells me he shall reply to the other about 
May, and that the Archbishop of Canterbury has 
furnished him with very good materials, and he does not 
at all doubt setting the account in so clear a light as 
to satisfy all reasonable men that our ordinations are 
good. Indeed his first book has done it sufficiently, 
but his answerers having raised several critical ob- 
jections against the authorities which he made use 



BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 229 

of to prove his point, as mistake of places, days, &c., 
and withal trumped up an old scandal that the basis 
of all our proof, the Lambeth Registry, is a piece 
forged in King James' time to invalidate the Nag's 
Head Narration, which our adversaries in Queen 
Elizabeth's reign maintained to be all the ordina 
tion our first Bishops had, Father Courayer thinks 
himself obliged to shew the weakness of these ob- 
jections. 

We have no other public news here than the 
breach between the two great ministers, Mons"^ le Due 
and the Bishop of Trejus. 'Tis patched up for the 
present, but probably will not hold long. 

You have the affectionate service of my wife and 
children. And I am ever. 

Dear Sir, 
Yours &c., 

Percival. 



My Lord, 



Berkeley to Pei^cival. 

London, io^^» Fed. 1725/6. 



I am now in a great hurry of business pre- 
paring an interest in the House of Commons against 
the introducing my affair of St Christopher's among 
them. The spirits of the ministry have been hitherto 
and are still so entirely possessed with fleets, subsidies, 
&c., that it hath not yet been thought proper to insist 
on that point, which however I hope will be soon 
carried, there being very good interest made among 
malcontents, and the Court being quite for it. 

It is this hurry (which hardly allows me a moment 
to myself) that hath so long delayed my acknowledg- 
ment of your Lordship's letter, &c. In it you desire 
to be informed by me what there is in the report you 
have heard of Mr Lesley's going to Bermuda and 



230 BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 

bestowing- a good part of his fortune on that design. 
All I can say is, that this gentleman upon reading the 
proposal was struck with it and expressed himself in 
words to that effect. His. affairs are, I understand, 
at present in some disorder. As soon as those are 
settled I believe he may entertain thoughts of going 
to Bermuda and be a benefactor. In the interim 
nothing is done of what you heard was performed. 

The subscriptions amount to about four thousand 
pounds. Lord Palmerston^ is desirous that nine hundred 
and odd pounds in his hands should be disposed of 
to this our college for breeding up young negroes 
agreeable to Mr Delon's will. The trustees for direct- 
ing the disposal thereof are your Lordship, Dr Bray, 
Mr Hales, his brother, and Mr Beleitha. The 
majority of these are of Lord Palmerston's mind, and 
your Lordship's concurrence hath been applied for. 

You have annexed a poem* wrote by a friend of 
mine with a view to the scheme. Your Lordship is 
desired to shew it to none but of your own family, and 
suffer no copy to be taken of it. 

I am glad to hear your family, and particularly my 
Lady, are so well. 

I am. My Lord, 

Y"^ Lordship's most obed' 

and most humble Servant, 

G. Berkeley. 

"^ America or the Muse's Refuge. 
A Prophecy. 

The muse, offended at this age, these climes 
Where nought she found lit to rehearse, 

Waits now in distant lands for better times, 
Producing subjects worthy verse. 

1 [Viscount Palmerston (1673? — 1757) was greatly interested in 
Berkeley's project.] 



BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 231 

In happy climes where from the genial sun 

And virgin earth fair scenes ensue, 
Such scenes as shew that fancy is outdone, 

And make poetic fiction true. 
In happy climes, the seat of innocence, 

Where nature guides and virtue rules, 
Where men shall not impose for truth and sense 

The pedantry of Courts and schools. 
There shall be sung another golden age. 

The rise of Empire and of arts. 
The good and great inspiring epic rage 

The wisest heads and noblest hearts. 
Not such as Europe breeds in her decay, 

Such as she bred when fresh and young. 
When heavenly flame did animate her clay, 

By future poets shall be sung. 
Westward the course of Empire takes its way. 

The four first acts already past, 
A fifth shall close the drama with the day, 

The world's ereat effort is the last. 



My Lord, 



Berkeley to Percival. 

London, 17^^'^ May, 1726^ 



Your Lordship hath every way been so good 
a friend to St Paul's College in Bermuda, that I think 
it my duty to acquaint you with the success which 
hath of late attended it, the Commons of Great Britain 
having last Wednesday voted an address to His 
Majesty that he would be pleased to make such grant 
out of the lands of St Christopher's for the endowment 
thereof as to him shall seem proper. This point was 
carried in a full house with but two negatives, and 
those pronounced in so low a voice as shewed that 
the persons who gave them were ashamed of what 
they were doing. I am heartily tired of soliciting for 
many weeks this point with all the diligence, patience, 

^ Dean Berkeley answered 6th June from the Hague. P. 



232 BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 

and skill, that I was master of; and am not less 
pleased to see it carried contrary to all men's expecta- 
tions, who thought it a hopeless affair, first, because the 
like step had never been taken in any reign for any 
college before, and secondly, because great interest 
and opposition had been made against it from several 
quarters and upon different principles, motives, and 
surmises, some whereof had got into the heads of very 
considerable persons. 

I am exceedingly pleased at the good effects which 
the change of air hath had upon my Lady, not only as 
it hath bettered her health, but likewise as it must 
have improved her disposition towards Bermuda, by 
giving her Ladyship to understand what may be 
expected from the best air in the world. Let what 
will happen I am resolved not to quit the pleasing 
hopes that I shall one day see you both in that happy 
Island. In the meantime it would be a great credit 
and ornament to our College, as well as a particular 
pleasure to myself, if we had a youth of such an 
excellent genius as your eldest son to begin with; but 
if this may not be hoped for, I put in an early claim 
to Master George, and beg and insist upon it, that 
you will not refuse me the pleasure, and the joy of 
assisting and forwarding the fine parts which already 
shine forth in him, and the rather because he seems to 
be of a constitution that should be likely to improve 
much in that climate. 

I am (with my best respects and service to you all), 

My Lord, 
Your Lordship's most obed' 

and most obliged Servant, 

Geo. Berkeley. 

This is my third since I had the honour to receive 
a letter from your Lordship. 

I had almost forgot to tell your Lordship that 
yesterday a Report was made of his Majesty's answer 
to the Commons Address. It is very gracious. 



PERCIVAL TO BERKELEY 233 



Dear Sir, 



Percival to Berkeley. 

Hague, d^''' June, 1726. 



If frequently informing myself of you and 
your affairs, if the having you always in my mind 
and being more than ordinarily solicitous for the 
success of your excellent design, afford any apology 
for my not writing so long, I know nobody has more 
candour than yourself to allow it. You who can dis- 
tinguish better than any one the difference between 
a fixt and unalterable esteem and friendship and the 
outward profession of it, which whether by mouth or 
letter is often false and generally dubious. But when 
I consider that I am not now on even terms with you, 
but indebted for three letters running, I fear you have 
condemned me for my silence so long, and that I must 
reason your own way to recover your good opinion: 
that is, I must think it essential to our intimacy to 
write more punctually, and give that outward mark of 
my inward esteem. 

The anxiety your affair gave me while depending 
in Parliament is well paid by the pleasure I receive in 
hearing it has succeeded at last so well, and not only 
so well, but so honourably; for surely to have an 
Address from all the Commons of Great Britain nem. 
cont. in its favour is the greatest honour a matter of 
this nature can receive, wherein party or the private 
interest of those who concurred in it could have no 
sort of share. 

As to my son George's going with you, get my 
wife's consent and you have mine. I am very certain 
he will be better educated under you than anywhere, 
and I know his morals would run less hazard of being 
spoiled; you will then ask why he is not to go, his 



234 BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 

mother must answer, and I am afraid she will be 
obstinate enough to delay it till she hears you are 
settled there to your content and have opened school. 

Now as to ourselves, we arrived from Flanders 
two days ago, something fatigued with irregular hours 
of travelling and the great heats, but I thank God are 
tolerably well. To-day we all dined with Mr Finch, 
our Ambassador, who told me last night a piece of 
news which may have great consequences: that the 
Duke of Bourbon had received a message from the 
King of France\ importing His Majesty had no farther 
occasion for his service, but that he should forthwith 
retire to Chantilly without taking leave of the Queen. 

I leave to reason on this sudden fall of a Minister 
well disposed to our interest, and with affectionate 
services of my family, which they desire me to send 
you. 

D^ Sir, &c., 

Percival. 



Berkeley to Percival. 

London, 2^*^ June, 1726 2. 



My Lord, 



I was truly grieved on all accounts by the 
late sad but common accident^ in your family which by 
this time T hope your Lordship's christian temper and 
good sense have got the better of. I am nevertheless 

^ [Louis XV (1710 — 1774) had as his first minister the Duke of 
Bourbon.] 

^ Dean Berkeley's letter rec'd at Amsterdam 292''^. P. 

^ Death of son George who died loth June and was buried by his 
sister in St James' Church. P. 



BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 235 

apprehensive that my Lady (considering her weak 
nerves) may be much affected by it, though I dare 
say you will omit no topic either from religion or 
reason to induce her to bear it with proper resig- 
nation. 

I have lately had the honour of a letter from your 
Lordship overflowing with that goodness which is so 
natural to you I have experienced too long to doubt 
of. My observing that I had WTit two or three times 
without receiving any answer was not meant to up- 
braid your Lordship in any sort, but only to signify 
that I had not been unmindful of my duty in case 
my letters were not come to hand, as It sometimes 
happens in foreign posts. Your patronage of and 
concern for the Bermuda affair justified my troubling 
you now and then with some short account of Its 
progress, which Is at present at a stand, and likely to 
continue so till Sir Robert Walpole returns from 
Norfolk, soon after which I hope the grant addressed 
for by the Commons will be perfected. 

Several years since your Lordship was so good as 
to supply me with sixty guineas, which I am sensible 
should have been restored before this time, but the 
truth is, the effects of Mrs Van Homrigh are not yet 
disposed of, nor all her debts paid, there being a suit 
depending with Mr Partinton which puts a stop to 
that affair which will fall much short of what was 
expected. Moreover, I was obliged to pay about eight 
hundred pounds for my Deanery house, together with 
first fruits and other expences upon my coming into 
that preferment: all which, as likewise my having been 
long engaged at law, and lying under a necessity of 
providing for some who are very near to me and 
depend upon me, hath sunk my affairs lower than 
people Imagine. 

Your Lordship will be so good as to accept this 
plea for my not returning your favour sooner. I am 
now I thank God In a capacity of doing it without any 
inconvenience; and therefore beg a line from you to 



236 BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 

direct me where to pay the abovementioned sum, 
which I am ready to return with all acknowledgment, 
and thanks, from, my Lord, 

Y' Lordship's 

Most obed' and most obliged 

humble Servant, 

G. Berkeley. 

I beg the favour of a line by next post being 
impatient to know how my Lady bears her misfor- 
tune. Pray present my humble Service to her Ladyship 
and to all your good family. 



My Lord, 



Berkeley to Percival. 

Greenwich, y^ Sept. 1728. 



I think myself obliged before I set sail from 
Europe to take leave of your Lordship and express 
my sincere gratitude for all your favours, my being 
withheld from doing this in person is no small mortifi- 
cation to me though perhaps it would have been 
greater to have done it, taking leave being in my 
opinion the most disagreeable instance of good man- 
ners that custom obliofes us to. To-morrow we sail 
down the river. Mr James and Mr Dalton go with 
me. So doth my wife, a daughter of the late Chief 
Justice Forster, whom I married since I saw your 
Lordship. I chose her for the qualities of her mind 
and her unaffected inclination to books. She goes 
with great cheerfulness to live a plain farmer's life, 
and wear stuff of her own spinning wheel, and for her 
encouragement have assured her that from hence- 
forward there shall never be one yard of silk bought 
for the use of myself, herself, or any of our family. 



BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 237 

Her fortune was two thousand pounds originally, but 
travelling and exchange have reduced it to less than 
fifteen hundred English money. I have placed that, 
and about six hundred pounds of my own, in the South 
Sea Annuities, as your Lordship will perceive by the 
enclosed letter of Attorney which I take the liberty to 
send you. I design to give your Lordship no farther 
trouble by it than one journey in a year into the City; 
and that only to such time as I can find means of 
laying it out to advantage where I am going. Your 
Lordship's goodness and readiness to serve your friends 
which I have so frequently experienced have drawn 
this trouble upon you and prevent any further apology. 
My most humble respects and best wishes attend 
my Lady, your whole family, and the good company at 
your house. That God may preserve your Lordship 
in health and happiness is the sincere hearty prayer of 

Your Lordship's 

Most obedient humble Servant, 

G. Berkeley. 

If your Lordship should at any time favour me 
with a line, please direct to Dean Berkeley at Rhode 
Island, near Boston, and enclose the letter in a cover 
to Thomas Corbett, Esq. at the Admiralty Office in 
London, who will further it by the first opportunity. 



Berkeley to Percival. 

Newport in Rhode Island, 7^^ Feby, ijiZlq^. 

My Lord, 

Though I am at present in no small hurry 
and have been so ever since my landing with visits 
and business of several kinds, yet I would not omit the 

^ Dean Berkeley's letter rec'd in April, answ'' 25th April. P. 



238 BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 

first opportunity of paying my duty to your Lordship, 
and acquainting you with our safe arrival in this 
Island. We came last from Virginia, where I received 
many unexpected as well as undeserved honours from 
the Governour and principal inhabitants. The same 
civil kind treatment attends us here. We were a long 
time blundering about the ocean before we reached 
Virginia, but our voyage from thence hither was as 
speedy and prosperous as could be wished. Mr James 
who proposeth to continue in Virginia till spring, and 
Mr Dalton who pursued his journey to this place by 
land, will both repent of their choice, when they find 
us arrived so long before them. I shall soon (I hope) 
be able to give your Lordship a more particular account 
of things. For the present I shall only say that this 
Island wants only your Lordship's family and a few 
more of my friends to make it the most agreeable 
place I ever saw. And (that which pleases me beyond 
all things) there is a more probable prospect of doing 
good here than in any other part of the world. I am 
so fully convinced of this, that (were it in my power) 
I should not demur one moment about situating our 
College here. But no step can be taken herein without 
consent of the Crown, and I shall not apply for that 
till his Majesty's bounty from St Christopher's is paid 
to Dr Clayton, till which time this design should be 
kept private. 

I took the liberty to trouble your Lordship with 
a Letter of Attorney which Dr Clayton was to put 
into your hands relating to my stock in the South Sea 
Annuities. It occurs to me that it is possible you may 
once more travel abroad into France or Italy, in which 
case I beg the favour of you to sell my said Annuities 
and receive the dividend due thereupon at that time, 
and place the whole in some known banker's hands 
making it payable to my order. Mr Hoare, of all others, 
I should choose; but as the contributor's money be- 
longing to our College of Bermuda is in his hands, 
and as I would have my private stock entered into 



BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 239 

the banker's books under a distinct article as my own 
money, in order to prevent any confusion, I must 
request your Lordship to be particular with him on 
that head, if the money be put into his hands. And you 
will be pleased to let me know his partner's names 
that I may draw in form, for I intend to purchase land 
in this country. Your Lordship's usual goodness will 
pardon this trouble. 

The post is just going out so I conclude with my 
best wishes and respects to my Lady Percival and 
your whole family in which I include Mr Dering. 

My Lord, 

Y"" most obed' and obliged humble Serv', 

G. Berkeley. 

I shall hope for a line from your Lordship. 

Since I wrote and sealed the enclosed I have heard 
something which makes it highly expedient for me to 
draw for the money which I left in the South Sea 
Annuities, and must therefore request the favour of 
your Lordship to sell the same out of hand and place 
it together with dividend due thereupon in a sure 
banker's hand, and to send me as soon as possible 
directions how to draw for it. I shall ever acknowledge 
this with the many other obligations I owe your Lord- 
ship. If your Lordship will be so good as to send 
a duplicate of the said directions, one by the Admiralty 
and the other by Mr Newman's conveyance (to whom 
my humble service), it will be the likelier to come to 
my hands. 



240 BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 



My Lord, 



Berkeley to Percival. 

Newport, 28''''' March, 1729I. 



Sometime I wrote to your Lordship requesting 
the favour of you to sell my South Sea Annuities and 
place the money in a banker's hand making it payable 
to my order, and if in Mr Hoare's to see it put into 
a distinct article from the Bermuda accounts, to prevent 
confounding my private money with that of the College. 
I know not whether my letter arrived, and therefore 
repeat the same request by the opportunity of a 
gentleman, who I am just told is going from Boston 
to be ordained in England. As he intends to return 
I shall hope for a line from your Lordship by him with 
directions how to draw for my moi.ey. You see my 
Lordship the genuine effects of your great goodness is 
trouble to yourself and benefit to your friends; though 
if I had known what I now do, I should have avoided 
trespassing on your Lordship's good nature and brought 
my money in specie with me, which would have been 
more to my advantage. 

I have now some experience of this place, and can 
tell your Lordship the climate is like that of Italy 
north of Rome, and in my opinion not quite so cold, 
though this season has been reckoned colder than 
ordinary. The land is pleasantly diversified with hills, 
vales, and rising grounds. Here are also some 
amusing rocky scenes. There are not wanting several 
fine rivulets and groves. The sea, too, mixed with capes 
and adjacent islands, makes very delightful prospects. 
But I forget myself and am running the risk of being 
thought romantic, though I assure you I write much 
below the truth. The town is prettily built, contains 
about five thousand souls, and hath a very fine harbour. 
The people industrious, and though less orthodox, 

^ Dean Berkeley's letter rec'd 16 May, answered 14 June. P. 



PERCIVAL TO BERKELEY 241 

I cannot say they have less virtue (I am sure they 
have more regularity) than those I left in Europe. 
They are indeed a strange medley of different per- 
suasions, which nevertheless all agree in one point, 
viz. that the Church of England is the second best. 
Mr Honyman, the only Episcopal clergyman in this 
Island, in whose house I now am, is a person of very 
good sense and merit on all accounts, much more than 
I expected to have found in this place. 

I must send my letter by this morning's post to 
Boston, so have time to say no more but that I am 
and ever shall be, 

My Lord, 

Your Lordship's most obliged and 

most obed' humble Servant, 

Geo. Berkeley. 

My best respects to my Lady and all your family. 
I long to know how you all do, Mr Dering, &c. and 
what is become of Pere Courayer, to whom pray my 
humble service. 



Dear Sir, 



Percival to Berkeley. 

London, 25^-^ April, 1729'. 



The news of your safe arrival at Rhode 
Island gives all your friends here unspeakable pleasure, 
and the more so that a current report had obtained 
that you were lost in your passage. I hope as 
Providence has preserved you so far you will live to 
perfect the great work you are upon, and with long 
health enjoy the satisfaction that will arise from it. 

^ To Dean Berkeley on Rhode Island. P. 
R. 16 



242 PERCIVAL TO BERKELEY 

I suppose by your design of buying lands where 
you are that you are determined to fix the College in 
Rhode Island, which, by what I have heard of the 
dismal effects of a tempest some months ago on 
Bermudas, may be the most eligible place of the two, 
and I should hope the Government will not scruple 
the change of the place, when you shall represent your 
reasons in the strong light you are so capable of doing. 

I obeyed your commands as soon as I was able, 
and have sold your ^2000 South Sea Annuities for 
;^2047 10^ o'^. The charge of the brokerage came to 
£2. 10. o, so I have placed the remaining ^2045. O- o 
with Mr Benjamin Hoare and Company, who told me 
he would make a separate article for you under the 
head of Dr George Berkeley's private account of 
money, to distinguish it from the other articles entitled 
' Subscription money to Bermudas.' There was no 
difficulty or objection I could see in it, or made by 
him, and he will pay this money to your order, drawing 
on Benj. Hoare and Company and mentioning it to be 
the money on your private account. His partners are 
Henry Hoare and Christopher Arnold. 

I believe you are very little solicitous how affairs 
go in Europe, other than what regards your College, 
and indeed I have little to send you. What I know 
is, that the Parliament have called for an account of 
the lands of St Christopher sold. So on another 
occasion you will be informed what progress has been 
made therein, and how near you approach to receiving 
your ^20,000. 

As to public affairs, there came an account this 
week that the King of Spain is willing to come into 
our terms, provided the Allies of Hanover will prevail 
on the Emperor to consent that Don Carlos be im- 
mediately agreed for successor to the State of Florence, 
supposing the present Duke should die issueless. 

You have most affectionate services from all my 
family, who with me desire their humble service to 
Mrs Berkeley, and the rest of your fellow voyagers. 



W. BYRD TO PERCIVAL 243 

If you have any further commands I desire you will 
not spare me, for on all occasions I shall be ready to 
the utmost to shew myself what I ever was from the 
time of our first acquaintance to the end of my life. 

Your, &c., 

Percival, 

I must tell you that I cannot receive your dividend 
on the ^2000 bill until after the 23rd of May. When 
that is paid I will do by it as by the Annuity I have 
sold. 

I send you a duplicate of this letter by Mr Newman's 
packet. 



My Lord, 



W. Byrd to Percival. 

Virginia, 10^^ June, 1729. 



Though I have not done myself the honour 
to write to your Lordship since my last voyage to this 
country, yet it was impossible for me not to enquire 
after yours and my Lady's health by every opportunity. 
I had once the pain to understand you were danger- 
ously ill, nor was my concern for myself alone, but for 
your family, your country and for mankind. But 
blessed be God you recovered that sickness, to the 
great joy of your friends, who are at least as many as 
you have acquaintances. I cannot but figure to myself 
the affliction my Lady was in at the apprehension of 
losing the best husband in the world. But I hope 
when that agony of grief was removed by your re- 
covery all her other complaints vanished, as they tell 
us smaller distempers are often carried off by the cure 
of a greater, that shakes the whole frame, and threatens 
a dissolution. And if that has frightened away her 

16 — 2 



244 W. BYRD TO PERCIVAL 

complaint, I dare say your Lordship will esteem this 
illness one of the greatest blessings that ever befell 
you. 

About two months ago Dean Berkeley put into 
this country, on his way to Rhode Island, where he 
is gone to purchase some lands that may supply his 
intended College at Bermudas with provisions. I had 
not the pleasure of seeing him by reason his stay was 
exceeding short. He only dined with the Governour, 
and went out of town in the evening. However, he 
visited our College, and was very well pleased with 
it. When the Dean's project was first communicated 
to me by your Lordship, I took the liberty to call it 
a very romantic one. It sounds very well to convert 
the Indians, and to come to Bermudas, and meet them 
three fourths of the way for that pious design, but 
when he comes to put this visionary scheme in practice, 
he will find it no better than a religious frenzy. And 
I may venture to say so much to your Lordship, that 
the Dean is as much a Don Quixote in zeal, as that 
renowned knight was in chivalry. Is it not a wild 
undertaking to build a college in a country where 
there is no bread, nor anything fit for the sustenance 
of man, but onions and cabbage ? Indeed the in- 
habitants are healthy, but they owe this happiness to 
a scarcity of everything which obliges them to a 
necessary temperance. Their air is pure indeed, but 
it is made so by a perpetual succession of storms and 
hurricanes. Then when this college is built, where 
will the Dean find Indians to be converted ? There 
are no Indians at Bermudas, nor within two hundred 
leagues of it upon the continent, and it will need the 
gift of miracles to persuade them to leave their country 
and venture themselves upon the great ocean, on the 
temptation of being converted. I know but one way 
in the world to procure Indians for this purpose : the 
Dean must have the command of half a dozen regi- 
ments, with which he or one of his professors in the 
quality of Lieutenant General must make a descent 



W. BYRD TO PERCIVAL 245 

upon the coast of Florida, and take as many prisoners 
as he can. This will be altogether as wise, and as 
meritorious, as the Holy War used to be of old, and 
then if those Gentiles will not be converted by fair 
means, he may take the French way, and dragoon 
them into Christianity. Nor will your Lordship think 
this extravagant, considering that a wild scheme in 
order to be consistent with itself, should have wild 
measures to carry it on. At least the Dean seems to 
think so, if one may judge by the step he has lately 
taken. He is, as I mentioned before, sailed to Rhode 
Island, to purchase land to supply his college with 
bread and other provisions. Now Rhode Island is 
more than as far again from Bermudas as Virginia; 
the lands not half so cheap, nor half so good. The 
climate is so cold that it will not produce Indian corn, 
the proper food for Indians, and very often not wheat, 
insomuch that they frequently send to purchase it 
here. With all these disadvantages the Dean is gone 
to make a purchase in that northern country, in con- 
tradiction to the ordinary rules of prudence. From 
all which I gather that it is below men of great parts, 
and deep learning, to walk in the beaten road, or act 
according to the customary methods of management 
recommended by common sense and experience of 
mankind. And thoug-h I would choose them to con- 
verse with sooner than any other, yet they should be 
the last I would employ in any affairs that require 
action and knowledge of the world. And I wish the 
good Dean may not find at last that Waller really 
kidnapped him over to Bermudas and the project he 
has been drawn into will prove in every part of it 
poetical. 

My curiosity has lately made me undertake an 
expedition in which I endured abundance of fatigue. 
I suffered myself to be named a commissioner for 
running a line betwixt this country and Carolina. I 
attended the surveyors from the ocean to the Ap- 
palachian mountains and upon measuring the distance 



246 W. BYRD TO PERCIVAL 

found it in a direct course two hundred and forty-five 
miles. This service took one up sixteen weeks by 
reason of the very difficult ways we had to go through. 
Like Norway mice we went straight forward through 
thick and thin. The worst of all was a dreadful bog 
of vast extent, called the Dismal, being thirty miles 
in length and fifteen in breadth where we past it. No 
human creature ever ventured to cross it before, and 
we found it so intolerable, that I believe no one will 
ever do it after us. The exhalations that rise out of 
it infect all the adjacent country, inasmuch that like 
the Lake Avernus the birds do not venture to fly 
over it. The ground of this bog is all a quagmire 
trembling under the feet of those that walk upon it, 
and every impression is instantly filled with water. 
Whenever our people made a fire, so soon as the 
crust of leaves and trash was burnt through, the coals 
sunk down into a hole, and were instantly extinguished. 
I don't believe there is anything in Ireland like it. In 
our way we forded several rivers, one of which, being 
the south branch of Roanoke, was the most beautiful 
stream I ever saw. The banks of it were fringed 
with tall canes which are perpetually green. The water 
was as clear as liquid crystal, the bottom gravelly, and 
spangled very thick with flakes of mother of pearl, 
that dazzled our eyes, and the sand on either shore 
sparkled with the same shining substance. Here and 
there a rock reared its head to the surface, over which 
the water murmured perpetually. I was so delighted 
with this river that I have purchased a large tract of 
land lying upon it. A finer country I never saw, nor 
do I believe the world can afford than that lying near 
the mountains. The land is rich, the climate mild, 
the water clear, all the woods full of timber, and the 
hills full of marble and alabaster. Did the poor 
people in the old world, that groan under tyranny and 
priesthood, know how happy a retreat they might find 
here, it would not long lie uninhabited. But men are 
so wedded to the place of their nativity that they 



PERCIVAL TO BERKELEY 247 

rather choose want and oppression at home than liberty 
and affluence abroad. 

I wish your Lordship all the happiness that health 
and a mind conscious of a thousand good natured and 
generous actions can make you. And may my Lady 
never feel any pain, but what her compassion for the 
miserable and afflicted gives her. And may Mr Percival 
and the rest of your fireside copy out the fine qualities 
of their parents, and if possible improve upon them. 
I am with all possible respect, 

My Lord, 

Your Lordship's 

most obed' hum^^ Serv*, 

W. Byrd. 



Dear Sir, 



Percival to Berkeley. 

London, 12^-^ June^ 1729. 



The 25'^ of April last I writ you an account 
that your ^2000 South Sea Annuities were sold and 
put into Mr Hoare's hands. I made a duplicate and sent 
one as you desired by Mr Newman's conveyance, and 
the other I gave to Mr Corbett. I cannot doubt their 
coming to you safe. I had for your Annuities ^2045 
exclusive of the charge of brokerage. I have since 
received the interest due on them, amounting to ^80, 
which I likewise paid to Mr Hoare, and is with the 
rest put into a separate article under the head of your 
private account to distinguish it from the subscription 
money. You are to draw on Benj. Hoare and Company, 
and so mention it when you draw as money on your 
private account. His partners are Henry Hoare and 
Christopher Arnold. 

Your second letter dated 23'*^ March was delivered 
to me by the gentleman who came to take orders. 



248 PERCIVAL TO BERKELEY 

You desired me to write by him when he returned, 
but there was too great uncertainty of our seeing one 
another, and therefore I told him I would not trouble 
him to call, but would write by Mr Corbett or New- 
man's packet. 

Your purchasing in Rhode Island is no secret, 
but I was the last to own it. A friend of yours men- 
tioned it at Court to some company of which I was 
one, and was more particular in the acres bought and 
money laid out and profitableness of your bargain than 
I knew before. 

The few I have conversed with on the subject of 
your voyage think Rhode Island a better place than 
Bermuda to fix your College in, but what prospect 
there is of getting the ^20,000, your friends em- 
ployed therein know best. A good deal of the St 
Christopher money is come in. 

You write so agreeably of the face of the country 
and climate, and the manners of the people, that 
almost you persuade me to be a Rhodian. I hear 
you have already preached to the Quakers and that 
they come to our Church to hear you, acknowledging 
you to be an inspired man of God, who preach by the 
Spirit and are come so far without interest to pour out 
the word. Should you be able to do no more than 
bring them over, it were a service to religion worth 
your voyage, and what will be a consolation to you if 
your primary view should miscarry, but God forbid it 
should, and I cannot believe so great, and pious, dis- 
interested, undertaking will want the assistance of 
God or man. 

Our Parliament have been up some time and 
passed a great many good laws : two for the relief of 
prisoners for debt who now come out to the number 
of 30,000 as the lowest reckoners put it, nor can new 
debtors be confined hereafter without a weekly allow- 
ance made them by their creditors. By another law 
we have regulated the number of attorneys and cut 
off the practice of those who are not regularly educated. 
We have passed also a law for better paving the 



PERCIVAL TO BERKELEY 249 

streets, and lighting them, another good one against 
perjury and one to prevent bribery in elections which 
cuts it up by the roots. This last was hard fought 
and we carried it by two votes. Our committee for 
visiting the gaols has got great honour, and we have 
delicted most crying abuses in the fleet and Marshalsea 
prisons. Next year the committee will be revived 
and we shall go on with the others. Huggins who 
was the warden of the fleet has been tried for murder 
committed on a debtor there and a special verdict 
found against him. Bambridge his successor was also 
tried for the murder of another debtor but acquitted. 
However he still lies in Newgate to be tried for 
robbery. 

As to peace we are still under great uncertainty, 
but a large fleet under Sir Charles Wager is speedily 
to sail and as we conceive to the Mediterranean, the 
Spaniards having got together a good number of ships 
for some design of importance. Nevertheless, it is 
believed that we shall have a peace before winter. 

All my family desire their humble service to you 
and your Lady and the gentlemen with you ; and I 
hope I may now wish you joy of Mrs Berkeley's 
being safely delivered. My sister Bering has been 
long out of order and I know not what to think of it. 
Her case puzzles the doctors. Daniel is in the old 
way, making bloody water, and pursuing his interest 
at Court where yet he has got nothing ; but he is in 
high grace with the Prince from which something 
must come. My wife still complains of the cholic and 
uses her laudanum. We go this summer to the Scar- 
borow waters in Yorkshire from which journey I hope 
she will find benefit. 

Young Mr Southwell is to be married to a daughter 
of my Lady Sands with ^loooo portion down, and 
^1500 a year settled on him immediately, beside her 
fortune. 

I am, Yrs &c., 

Percival. 



250 BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 



My Lord, 



Berkeley to Percival. 

Newport in Rhode Island, 27'-^ June^ 1729. 



As I had reason to believe that before this 
time the St Christopher's money would have been 
returned into the exchequer, and as we were alarmed 
in these parts with speedy expectation of a war, 
I intended to have drawn my money out of the South 
Sea Annuities into this part of the world, which in 
that case would have been more convenient for my 
affairs. But the rumour of a war daily decreasing 
and no account being come that the St Christopher 
money is yet paid into the Treasury, I think it more 
advisable to let my money remain where it was. In 
case therefore it is not already taken out, I desire it 
may remain in the South Sea Annuities. The trouble 
I give your Lordship on this subject is I am con- 
fident more uneasy to myself than it is to you whose 
ready and obliging goodness I have so often ex- 
perienced. 

I am here in no small anxiety waiting the event of 
things. I understand that in Ireland they have been 
told it is my resolution to settle here at all events. 
This report I am concerned at and would have it by 
all means discouraged, for it may give a handle to the 
Treasury for withholding the ^20,000, and at the 
same time disgust my associates. The truth is, I am 
not in my own power, not being at liberty to act 
without the concurrence as well of the Ministry as of 
my associates. I cannot therefore place the College 
where I please ; and though on some accounts I did 
and do still think it would more probably be attended 
with success if placed here than in Bermuda, yet if 
the Government and the gentlemen engaged with me 
should persist in the old scheme, I am ready to go 
thither, and with God's blessing actually shall do so as 
soon as I hear the money is received and my associates 



BERKELEY TO MR NEWMAN 251 

are arrived. This is the truth and I beg the favour of 
your Lordship to mention it as often as occasion offers. 
Before I left England I was reduced to a difficult 
situation. Had I continued there, the report would 
have obtained (which I found beginning to spread) that 
I had dropped the design after it had cost me and my 
friends so much trouble and expense. On the other 
hand, if I had taken leave of my friends, even those 
who assisted and approved my undertaking would 
have condemned my coming abroad before the King's 
bounty was received. This obliged me to come 
away in the private manner that I did, and to run 
the risk of a tedious winter voyage. Nothing less 
would have convinced the world that I was in 
earnest, after the report I knew was growing to the 
contrary. 

For my amusement in this new world I have got 
a little son whom my wife nurses. 

I shall trouble your Lordship no farther than 
with my best wishes for yourself and family to whom 
I am, 

A most devoted and most 

humble Servant, 

Geo. Berkeley. 

Under cover to your Lordship's most humble 
Servant, 

Henry Newman. 



Sir, 



Berkeley to Mr Newman. 

Rhode Island, Newport, z^*''- Jime, 1729. 



Since my arrival in this island I received the 
favour of a packet from you, which I long since 
acknowledged in a letter consigned to Mr Marshal, 
who I doubt not hath forwarded the same to you. It 



252 BERKELEY TO MR NEWMAN 

is needless to send you any account of this place or 
climate, which you are so well acquainted with, 
I shall only observe that upon the whole it seems to 
me a proper situation for a college, though it must 
be owned that provisions are neither so plenty nor so 
cheap as I apprehended. And as to the inhabitants, 
I find them divided in their opinions, those in the 
country, or (as they are termed here) the men in the 
woods, being grossly ignorant and uneducated, are not 
a little alarmed at the coming of strangers, and form 
many fears and ridiculous conclusions thereupon. The 
inhabitants of the town of Newport, particularly the 
Churchmen, are much better disposed towards us. 

I have wrote to some friends in England to take 
the proper steps for procuring a translation of the 
College from Bermuda to Rhode Island as soon as 
the ^20,000 arising by sale of lands in St Christo- 
pher's is paid to our order, and I have furnished them 
with the weightiest reasons that occurred for so doing, 
but I don't think it advisable to make this proposition, 
or say anything about it before the money is received. 
In the meantime I am understood to remain here till 
I hear of the said payment, and the arrival of my 
associates in Bermuda where I am to join them, which 
indeed is the truth of the case, supposing I should 
not be able to bring about the translation before- 
mentioned. 

Believing your packets are taken particular care 
of, I have enclosed some letters under your cover, 
which I beg the favour of you to forward as directed, 
which will be an obligation upon. 

Sir, 

Your most obed' hum. Serv', 

Geo. Berkeley. 



BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 253 



My Lord, 



Berkeley to Percival. 

Rhode Island, 30''^ Aug. 1729. 



I congratulate your Lordship in the share 
you had in redressing the villanies in the Fleet Prison, 
and was much pleased to find you recorded in the 
monthly Register, (which with us supplies the place of 
all other newspapers), as a principal agent in that most 
laudable piece of justice and charity. At the same 
time I return my humble thanks to your Lordship for 
the favour of your letter and your goodness in taking 
my money out of the fund and placing it in Mr Hoare's 
hands : mine which I wrote to prevent your Lord- 
ship's giving yourself that trouble having it seems 
been sent too late. I am ashamed to desire your 
Lordship to put it again into the Annuities, but 
if this were done I should think it a great favour 
and be very cautious how I gave you any further 
trouble. 

The truth is we were alarmed here by accounts 
of a war with Spain and that the stocks would fall, 
which alarm being since abated I have altered my 
design, so that I am now desirous to have interest for 
my money, and the rather because I have been at 
great expense since I saw you. And I know no 
other way of laying out my money but in the public 
fund, which I am told will be as secure at least as any 
private bankers. Rather than to break the sum of 
£2.000 (which I would have secured for my family) 
I have got credit for 600 pounds at the legal interest, 
which Mr Prior ^ is to pay out of my Deanery. This 
enables me to perfect the purchase of my land and 
house in this Island, which purchase in case the 
College should not go on will be much to my loss. 

1 [Thomas Prior, college companion and lifelong friend of Berkeley.] 



254 BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 

For lands within this Island being- very well cleared 
and near an excellent harbour are very dear, at an 
average about ten pounds sterling an acre, and it was 
expedient I should buy lands fit to produce pro- 
visions, and near a good seaport where they may be 
easily exported to Bermuda for the supply of our 
College. True it is that on the continent within this 
government uncleared lands may be bought very 
cheap, even for a twentieth part of the above- 
mentioned price ; but the clearing of them would be 
very expensive, and require much time, and in the 
interim they produce nothing. Though if they were 
left to lie till the colony fills, without any pains or 
any expense bestowed upon them, they would in time 
grow very valuable, and I should think this the best 
way of laying out my money in case the College were 
settled in these parts. But where it will be settled, or 
when is a point still in the dark, nor by what I can 
find likely to be cleared during the present uncertainty 
of public affairs. I doubt not the Treasury is back- 
ward in all payments ; but I cannot, I will not, under- 
stand that they can form any resolve to withhold a 
grant conveyed in such legal and authentic manner 
by His Majesty's patent under the broad seal, though 
it may possibly be postponed for some time. In the 
interim I must patiently wait the event and endeavour 
to be of some use where I am. 

For the first three months I resided at Newport 
and preached regularly every Sunday, and many 
Quakers and other sectaries heard my sermons in 
which I treated only those general points agreed by 
all Christians. But on Whit-Sunday (the occasion 
being so proper) I could not omit speaking against 
that spirit of delusion and enthusiasm which misleads 
those people : and though I did it in the softest 
manner and with the greatest caution, yet I found it 
gave some offence, so bigoted are they to their pre- 
judices. Till then they almost took me for one of 
their own, to which my everyday dress, being only 



g:;^??^?^i 




BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 255 

a strait-bodied black-coat without plaits on the sides, 
or superfluous buttons, did not a little contribute. 

I live now in the country and preach occasionally 
sometimes at Newport, sometimes in the adjacent 
parts of the continent. Mr James and Mr Dalton 
have taken a house at Boston ; in which town I 
have not yet been, though I have had several in- 
vitations and been visited in this Island by many of 
the principal inhabitants thereof. My family I bless 
God are well. My little son thrives, and we are 
already flattered by the neighbours upon his parts 
and person. 

I heartily wish to your Lordship, and all that 
belong to you, increase of health and joy. My wife, 
who has a very sincere respect for your Lordship, and 
my good Lady joins with me in these wishes, and her 
humble service with mine to both of you. I .am with 
the greatest truth. 

My Lord, 

Your Lordship's 
most obliged and most obed' 
Servant, 

G. Berkeley. 

What might have been formerly an inconvenience 
is now none at all. I must therefore desire your 
Lordship, before my money is replaced in the 
funds, to take sixty guineas out of it, which money 
I had long since from your Lordship, and for which 
with many other favours I shall always hold myself 
obliged to you. 



256 PERCIVAL TO BERKELEY 



Dear Sir, 



Percival to Berkeley. 

Charlton, zot''- Sept. 1729. 



I have just received yours of the 27th June. 
Your last was of the 28th March, which I answered 
the 14th following, before which I also writ you on 
the 23rd April that I had sold your Annuities as you 
directed me, and placed the money in Mr Hoare's 
hands. You have doubtless by this time received 
my letters, of which I sent duplicates by Mr Corbett's 
and Mr Newman's packets. I find you had not sold 
them, and I wish so too, for the certainty of peace 
has made the stocks in general rise, but I had your 
peremptory orders for what I did, and to sell them 
even with speed. 'Tis pity the money should lie dead 
in a banker's hands. I thought you had drawn for it 
long ago to pay the purchase of the land you had 
agreed for in Rhode Island. I am ready with much 
pleasure to obey your directions about it when you 
think fit to dispose of it any particular way whether 
in annuities or otherwise, and shall wait your orders 
and powers. 

I am very glad you have instructed me with 
authority to declare your resolution of going to 
Bermuda when the ^20,000 shall be paid in, in case 
the government and your associates should persist in 
the choice of that place preferable to any other and 
particularly the Island where you are. 'Tis certain 
the report of your settling on Rhode Island and 
preferring that place has universally obtained belief, 
both from your own accounts of it, and your pur- 
chasing lands there, which is known to everybody, to 
which I may add the general persuasion that Bermuda 
would not fit your purpose. But I have constantly 
said (and so I believe have your other friends) that 
you went to Rhode Island to shew you were in earnest 



PERCIVAL TO BERKELEY 257 

about your scheme, and to inform yourself of all the 
particulars necessary for carrying it on, to settle and 
prepare matters for beginning your work, and to be 
near at hand to pass to Bermuda when the Govern- 
ment money should be paid in. But that you avoided 
going directly to that Island, because by your patent, 
you was to vacate your Deanery a year after you had 
been there, and it would be a great imprudence to 
hazard that while you were uncertain of the moneys 
coming. As to this last particular, your friends em- 
ployed to get it do without doubt inform you from time 
to time of their motions, but last week I was at Court, 
and Mr Eccleshal the Queen's Secretary told me that 
none of the St Christopher's money was yet paid into 
the Treasury, though I think I heard Mr Scroop tell the 
House of Commons last winter that there were lands 
already sold for ^60,000. 

I heartily congratulate you on the birth of your 
son, and I hope your Lady is well after it, and that the 
change of climate has agreed with all the company 
with you. 

There is a report that Mr Smibert is married to 
the Lady who accompanied Mrs Berkeley, but if 
so I suppose you would have said something of it. 

As to ourselves, my wife labours at times under 
very great cholic pains, and is forced to increase her 
dose of laudanum. Mrs Bering is now at Bath 
where an exceeding bad state of health from a com- 
plication of distempers carried her some months ago. 
My brother writes me that the waters did her head 
and stomach good, but have thrown the humours 
down into her legs insomuch they more than fear she 
has the dropsy to which her physicians are free to own 
she has a tendency, and therefore my last letters from 
thence talk of her return to London, which is but 
melancholly news. I thank God my children are all 
well, and prove to my satisfaction. 

I mentioned that there was very great likelihood 
-of peace. Every post gives us more reason to expect 

R. 17 



258 PERCIVAL TO BERKELEY 

it. Mr Stanhope^ is set out Ambassador to Spain, 
and it will be about seven weeks before we can have 
any thorough confirmation. In the meantime great 
civilities pass, and the effects of the Galeons are 
delivered out. This will put a final end to the 
Ostend Company, and England will be no more 
concerned in the jars of Europe ; but whether the 
Emperor will be satisfied to let Don Carlos live 
peaceably in Italy is a question. They say he is 
marching troops thither. 

Dr Courayer is now with me and presents his 
service to you. He has been lately in Holland to 
see his last book printed, wherein he gives a narrative 
of the proceedings in France against him, and justifies 
his behaviour, adding with all the proofs. Since 
his return the Queen presented him with another 
^loo, with intimation that she will continue this 
favour. 

The A. B. of Dublin is not yet appointed I It 
lies between the Bishop of St David's and the Bishop 
of Salisbury's brother. London, Canterbury, and the 
Lord Lieutenant are for the former, but whether the 
Ministry are is the question. My Lord Lieutenant 
says it will disoblige all the Bishops there to have 
the Junior of their Bench put over their heads, but 
Salisbury insists that London promised it, which 
London denies. 'Tis objected to St David's that he 
is a man of too warm a temper, and not conversant 
enough in worldly matters to be A. B. of Dublin. 
Whether the other is more so, or whether it is neces- 
sary that Bishops should be men of this world, is a 
question, but I must wish for my old tutor, who is 
a virtuous, religious, and learned man. He has just 
finished his first volume in defence of our Saviour's 
miracles against Woolaston's tracts, who would turn 

1 [Philip Dormer Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield (1694 — 1773), the 
diplomatist, wit and letterwriter.J 

2 [The death of Archbishop King in 1729 had caused the vacancy 
which was filled by the appointment of John Hoadly, archbishop of 
Armagh, in January, 1730.] 



PERCIVAL TO W. BYRD 259 

them all into allegories. Some tell me 'tis heavy writ, 
but learned. 

Dr Clayton is by means of Mrs Clayton in great 
favour at Court. My Lord Lieutenant spake to the 
Queen without his knowledge to grant him the 
Deanery of Dromore, but the Queen replied she 
designed better things for him. Probably if the 
Bishop of Salisbury's brother be made A. B. of Dublin, 
he will succeed him. 

You have all services from hence. 

I am ever, 

Dr Sir, &c., 

Percival. 



Percival to W. Byrd. 

Charlton, yd Dec. 1729^ 

#4ir At- 4t. -ii- 4i- 

•7T* 'fr -A" "Tx" '?v' 

As to Dean Berkeley, I value him, and wish well 
to his design. But I will not undertake to dispute 
with you the feasibleness of the execution, nor 
what success it may have. I am sure the intention 
deserves the utmost. We thought he had well con- 
sidered everything that could be objected to it before 
he set out, and though he has had leisure enough 
to consider things over again, by the delay of the 
money granted him by patent, and opportunity to change 
his schemes by seeing things with his own eyes, 
which before he had only on report of others, yet by a 
letter I lately received from him, dated at Rhode 
Island, I found him still as resolute to proceed as 
ever, from whence I conclude that he does not see 
those difficulties you mention, and which I acknowledge 

^ To William Byrd in Virginia. P. 

17 — 2 



26o BENJ. HOARE TO PERCIVAL 

others think he must meet with. All I can say is, 
that since miracles are ceased all human means must 
be tried for the conversion of heathens, and I will 
not despair of the Dean's meeting with some success, 
though not as much as I wish him, knowing his piety, 
capacity, and resolution. 



# 


# 


# 


# 


I 


am. 








Dear Sir, 








Your 


&c., 

Percival. 



Benj . Hoare to Percival. 

London, 3^^ Dec. 1729^ 

My Lord, 

I have received the honour of your Lord- 
ship's and that it is not regular to repay the money 
without an order from the Dean, but will do it at 
your Lordship's desire, provided I may have the 
stock bought in my name till such time as you can 
get an order from the Dean, and if your Lordship 
will let me know what stocks shall be bought your 
orders shall be complied with by him that begs to 
subscribe himself. My Lord, 

Your Lordship's 

Most faithful and obed' ServV 

Benj. Hoare. 

^ Benj. Hoare the banker about Dean Berkeley's money. P. 



PERCIVAL TO BENJ. HOARE 261 

Percival to Benj. Hoare. 

Charlton, 2*^^ jan. 1 729/30 ^ 
Sir, 

I am obliged to you for putting me in a way 
to answer Dean Berkeley's desire, and beg the favour 
of you to follow the method you propose, and buy 
South Sea Annuities in your own name to rest so till 
I have a letter of Attorney from him. I know not 
what Annuities he sold, but beg the favour you will 
inform yourself of the sort at their books. 

I am. 

Sir, 

Your &c., 

Percival. 

Berkeley to Percival. 

Rhode Island, 29^-^ March, 1730. 



My Lord, 



About three weeks ago I had the honour of 
receiving one of your Lordship's of an old date. I am 
glad the public affairs go on so well, but sorry that the 
private account of your family is not equally agreeable. 
I long to hear that my good Lady Percival and Mrs 
Dering get rid of their ailments, which I doubt will 
never be done but by change of air and exercise. If 
I should pretend to advise them to a long voyage my 
advice may be suspected, I can nevertheless affirm 
sincerely that I believe it would be the best remedy 
for them in the world. My wife, whose constitution 
had been much hurt and weakened by a long ague, 

1 To Mr Benj. Hoare about Dean Berkeley's money. P. 



262 BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 

found wonderful relief from sea sickness and even 
from the hardships and distresses of the voyage, and 
is now in health better than she had been for several 
years before. 

We have passed the winter in a profound solitude 
on my farm in this Island, all my companions having 
been allured five or six months ago to Boston, the 
great place of pleasure and resort in these parts, where 
they still continue. After my long fatigue of business 
this retirement is very agreeable to me ; and my wife 
loves a country life and books so well as to pass her 
time contentedly and cheerfully without any other 
conversation than her husband and the dead. 

There is no truth in what your Lordship heard of 
Mrs Handcock's being married, or about to marry. 

I wait here with all the anxiety that attends sus- 
pense till I know what I can depend upon or what 
course I am to take. On the one hand I have no 
notion that the Court would put what men call a bite 
upon poor clergymen, who depended upon charters, 
grants, votes, and the like encouragements. On the 
other hand, I see nothing done towards payment of 
the money. All I can do is to continue to recommend 
it to those who are most likely and able to push this 
matter, and I could do no more if I were on the spot, 
which makes me not follow the advice of some who 
have lately wrote to me to return home and solicit 
myself. When the Charter and grant were verified 
in legal form I thought all solicitation was at an end. 
One thing I am sure of, that if the Treasury will not 
issue the money in regard to his Majesty's command, 
subscribed by his own hand and sealed with the broad 
seal (which is in Dr Clayton's custody), they will not 
be likely to pay it in regard to anything I can say or 
do. I have therefore hinted (in a letter I sent by this 
same opportunity) to Dr Clayton that it would be right 
to go in form with his Majesty's Letter patent in his 
hands to the Treasury and there make his demand 
that we may obtain at least a public and direct answer 



PHILIP PERCIVAL TO PERCIVAL 263 

from the proper persons. My views are still the same 
with regard to Bermuda, whither I am ready to set 
sail as soon as the money is paid. 

I have many thanks to return your Lordship for 
your kind and friendly care in the concerns I presume 
to trouble you with, and hope the letter which I wrote 
several months ago containing my request that your 
Lordship will be pleased to replace my money in the 
South Sea Annuities is arrived safe to your hands. 
Wherever I am I find my self always increasing my 
debt of obligations to your Lordship, a grateful sense 
of which I shall ever preserve, and on all occasions be 
glad to shew how truly and faithfully, 

I am, My Lord, 
Y' Lordship's most obed' 

and most humble Serv', 

Geo. Berkeley. 

My wife joins in our best respects and humble 
service to your Lordship and good Lady Percival. 
I am glad to hear that P. Courayer is taken care of. 
Pray my humble service to him and Mr Dering, &c. 



Philip Percival^ to Percival. 

London, 4^^' July^ 1730. 
Dear Brother, 

I yesterday saw Mr Hutchinson who said he 
had received a letter from the Dean, but did not find 
by it that he seemed inclined to return, which he 
seemed sorry for, and said he could wish he would 
turn his thoughts homewards, for that he was very 
sure the money will never be paid, and hinted that 

1 Brother Percival about Dean Berkeley. P. 



264 PERCIVAL TO BERKELEY 

Sir Robert had said so much to him when he last 
applied to him on that subject. On the other hand, 
Mr Wainright, some weeks since, gave us thus much 
hopes, viz. that it was not absolutely desperate ; but 
what his grounds were for thinking so he said he 
must not relate, but believed if it should take effect 
it would be some time first. So what to believe I 
know not, nor can I tell what would be proper to tell 
the Dean, the appearance being so very uncertain. 

I am much obliged to you for your kind invitation, 
and if I can get an opportunity shall wait upon you, 
but whether I can be able to stay or not I cannot yet 
resolve. My wife is much your humble servant and 
I am ever, 

Dear Brother, 

Most truly yours, &c.. 

Ph. Percival 



Dear Sir, 



Percival to Berkeley. 

Charlton, ()i^ July, 1730. 



By yours of the 29th March last I perceive 
you had not received my letter dated 1 7th Jany, 
wherein I acquainted you that your ^^2000 South Sea 
Annuities were bought in again by Mr Hoare in his 
own name ; for want of a power in me to demand back 
the money arising from the sale of them, which by 
your direction I lodged in your hands. This money 
was entered in his books to your account, and he 
would not allow that your bare directions in a letter 
gave me sufficient authority to demand it from him 
again, because it did not empower me to give him 
a legal discharge. But to comply as far as he might 
with your directions he bought the Annuities again, 



PERCIVAL TO BERKELEY 265 

as I have said for your use, but in his own name, and 
will deliver them up, when you send me a letter of 
attorney to demand them of him. They cost io5|- 
and ^ brokerage; in all ^2115. 

It is great pleasure to hear you and your family 
keep your health, and that you can find agreeableness 
in so much solitude. However, you still shew that 
you prefer to it a public and useful life, and that all 
the discouragement you have met with has not in the 
least abated your zeal for erecting your intended 
college. I wish to God I were able to acquaint you 
with anything satisfactory on that head, but am still in 
the dark and in great despondency about the money. 

Bishop Clayton went a considerable time since to 
Ireland, and who will advise or undertake to go to the 
Treasury with your letters patent, I know not, nor 
can I see any good effect that would come from such 
a procedure, the delay not arising from thence. If 
ordered they must pay it, and if not they will give that 
for a reason, and all you could get if you pursued that 
step would be a lawsuit with the Crown, which though 
successful would not advance your scheme, because 
without the civil protection and encouragement your 
college would fall to the ground. 'Tis possible, that 
in time it may be thought fit to pay it, but I think it 
must be by some miraculous influence from above, 
and your friends here despair of it, though my Lord 
Townshend, who had some politic reason against ad- 
vancing learning in America (as I have heard), is 
retired from business. 

Father Courayer is now with Mr Duncomb in 
Wiltshire, but returns to me in the autumn. The 
Queen has paid him constantly a hundred pounds 
a year, only some months are now lapsed by accidents 
that happened, but not from any weariness to support 
him, for her Majesty has a very good and kind opinion 
of him. Father le Quien^ has lately published two 

^ [Michel le Qiiien (1661 — 1733), a learned Dominican and critic of 
Courayer.] 



266 BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 

other volumes against him, but they contain nothing 
new. 

We now seem to be in earnest to fix Don Carlos 
in Italy; and troops are actually marching to Ports- 
mouth to embark for that service. But the Emperour 
is determined to oppose it, and where the contest will 
end I believe the wisest cannot foresee. 'Tis thought 
we shall attack Sicily out of hand which is ready to 
change masters. 

My sister Dering has been greatly mended in her 
health by two journeys to Bath, but Daniel I think 
is in a bad state. 'Tis now several months that he 
has not been a day right well, and lately he voided 
a stone as big as an olive stone. My wife ventured 
once more to Bath, and found so orood success from 
those waters that we propose to return thither in 
September again. It is the opinion of Stenard that 
the Bath waters will do service in one time of life 
when it will not in another, and I hope my wife may 
find his observation true. 

You have her humble service to you and your 
Lady, to whom pray present mine and believe me 
ever, 

Dear Sir, 

Your, &c., 

Percival. 



My Lord, 



Berkeley to Percival. 

Rhode Island, July 20^-^, 1730I. 



Your Lordship is entitled to more thanks 
than I know how to express for your kind care about 
my money, I waited this opportunity of a vessel 
going from hence, whereby I send the enclosed authori- 
ties drawn in the most authentic manner, and which 

1 Dean Berkeley's letter rec'' at Bath, 12 Dec"", answered 23''''. P. 



BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 267 

I suppose will enable your Lordship to do what you 
are so good to take upon you. 

I must beg leave to repeat and insist upon your 
Lordship's paying yourself out of the first money that 
shall become due on my South Sea Annuities, and 
am concerned this was not done sooner. Be pleased 
therefore my good Lord to put your humble servant 
(who hath a thousand other favours to acknowledge) 
to no further confusion on this head. 

I have not heard from Dr Clayton since he was 
made Bishop. I take him to be a man of worthy 
views and heartily wish success to his endeavours of 
being useful in that station since we are not likely to 
see him in this part of the world. 

The enclosed letter to Mr Archdeacon Benson 
I entreat your Lordship to send by a careful hand as 
directed. I appoint him to take care of our College 
affairs instead of the Bishop of Killala, and to take 
into his custody the Patents and the College seal, and 
papers that were left with his Lordship. He is a true 
friend to me and the undertaking, and nobody hath 
better inclinations or more opportunity to do it service. 
I long to know the issue of his endeavour, and what 
course I am to take, or what to expect. 

I already informed your Lordship that I hold 
myself in readiness to go to Bermuda, and I beg that 
you will take occasion to do me justice in that par- 
ticular, because I understand the contrary hath been 
given out, though without any truth or foundation, 
since I have for this year past taken all possible pains 
to undeceive the people and contradict that report. 
Bermuda after all is the proper place, for, besides that 
the ^20000 were addressed for by Parliament and 
granted by the Crown for that individual spot, there 
are other reasons which lie against placing the College 
here, particularly the extreme dearness of labour and 
the difficulty of getting Indians, the number whereof 
is very inconsiderable in this part of America, having 
been consumed by wars and strong liquors, not to 



268 BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 

mention some other particulars wherein I take Bermuda 
to have the advantage. 

As for the raillery of European wits, I should not 
mind it if I saw my College go on and prosper ; but 
I must own the disappointments I have met with in 
this particular have nearly touched me, not without 
affecting my health and spirits. If the founding of 
a College for the spreading of religion and learning in 
America had been a foolish project, it cannot be sup- 
posed the Court, the Ministers, and the Parliament, 
would have given such public encouragement to it ; 
and if, after all that encouragement, they who engaged 
to endow and protect it, let it drop, the disappointment 
indeed may be to me, but the censure, I think, will light 
elsewhere. 

My best wishes wait on your Lordship, my good 
Lady Percival, and all your family. I wrote to Mr 
Bering but have not heard from him. I shall ever 
be glad to hear that good health and prosperity attend 
you all. 

I am sorry that I live in a country that resembles 
England so much in its produce of every kind, that 
here is not any one curiosity worth sending, otherwise 
I would not have been unmindful of my duty to my 
Lady. Be pleased to accept of mine and of my wife's 
respects and believe that I am with the greatest truth 
and gratitude, 

Your Lordship's most obedient and 

Most humble Servant, 

G. Berkeley. 



PERCIVAL TO BERKELEY 269 



Dear Sir, 



Percival to Berkeley. 

Bath, ^y^. December, 1730. 



Yours of the 20th July came last week and 
with a power enclosed to receive your Annuities such 
as I suppose will content Mr Hoare. I shall when 
I return to London take care of it, and that won't be 
long first, for the Parliament meets the 21st of next 
month. 

Your friend Mr Stanhope is lately dead and Arch- 
deacon Benson is at Durham. My brother Percival, 
to whom I enclosed the letters you sent me for those 
two gentlemen, has forwarded the Archdeacon's to 
him, and keeps that for Stanhope for further order. 

I don't wonder the disappointment you so long 
have met with in the settlement of your College, after 
the progress you had made, and the charge, labour, 
and hazard you have gone through to perfect it, should 
sensibly affect you ; but the design seems too great and 
good to be accomplished in an age where men love 
darkness better than the light, and nothing is considered 
but with a political view. A very good Lord asked 
me whether I thought the Indians would not be saved 
as well as we ? and if I considered that learning 
tended to make the Plantations independent of their 
Mother Country } adding that the ignorance of the 
Indians and the variety of sects in our Plantations 
was England's security. He was even sorry that we 
had an University in Dublin. And yet the Lord is 
the ornament of the nobility for learning and sobriety, 
but he reduced all to policy. I am very sorry you 
should let this disappointment affect you so nearly; 
you know we can but propose, the disposal and events 
are in God's hands, who will when he thinks fit effectu- 
ally bring about what tends to his own glory, I own 
I do not see at present great reason to hope success. 



270 PERCIVAL TO BERKELEY 

but who knows what sparks of fire may yet remain 
among the ashes. 

I discoursed it with the Speaker, who though he 
approves it not for the same reason the Lord above 
mentioned gave me, yet thinks the honour of ParHa- 
ment engaged, and told me he on that account had 
spoken to Sir Joseph Jekyl not to let it drop. But on 
the other hand Sir Robert Walpole told Mr Hutchinson 
in confidence, as he undoubtedly has writ you word, 
that the money would never be paid, so I confess 
I have very little hopes. 

I have not spared to declare on every occasion, 
that your intention is, and always has been, to settle 
in Bermuda, and that you only went to Rhode Island 
to settle methods for furnishing your College with 
provisions. 

There is a project on foot for settling a colony of 
a hundred English families on the river Savannah that 
bounds the North side of Carolina, by which it is 
proposed that a vast tract of good land uncultivated 
by reason of the incursion of the Indians will be 
protected and of course improved to the enriching 
that province, and to the great advantage of England. 
The King is to give the land, and the charges fur- 
nished by subscriptions, and 5 or ^6000 is all we 
think necessary for beginning it. This being entirely 
calculated for a secular interest meets with approbation, 
and the Board of Trade have agreed with the under- 
takers upon a favourable report to be made of it to 
His Majesty, who, with the Ministry, and the merchants 
of the city, commend the design. 

Mr Oglethorpe, a young gentleman of very public 
spirit and chairman of the late committee of gaols, 
gave the first hint of this project last year, and has 
very diligently pursued it. Several Parliament men, 
clergy, &c. are commissioners for executing it, myself 
among others. It is proposed the families there settled 
shall plant hemp and flax to be sent unmanufactured to 
England, whereby in time much ready money will be 



PERCIVAL TO BERKELEY 271 

saved in this Kingdom, which now goes out to other 
countries for the purchase of these goods, and they 
will also be able to supply us with a great deal of 
good timber. 'Tis possible too they may raise white 
mulberry trees and send us good raw silk. But at 
the worst they will be able to live there, and defend 
that country from the insults of their neighbours, and 
London will be eased of maintaining a number of 
families which being let out of gaol have at present 
no visible way to subsist. 

I now come to a very melancholy part of my 
letter, to acquaint you with the loss of two of my 
nearest and dearest relations. My brother Dering 
after a year's struggle with the stone and a shattered 
constitution died at Leiden the 13th Sept, last. He 
went thither to consult Dr Boerhaave, but he was too 
far gone when he came, and only languished on for 
a few weeks. He had lately obtained the place of 
Auditor for the Duchy of Cornwall, but lived not to 
enjoy a penny of the profits for it was in great con- 
fusion, and I believe his solicitude to reduce it into 
order contributed to his end. If I were writing to 
another I should fill this sheet with his virtues, but 
to you who knew him I will say no more, than that 
to a religious and sober life he joined a Christian 
death, after acquitting himself of the duties of a good 
subject, husband, father, and friend. You may judge 
the afBiction it is to us all, and particularly how near 
it has gone to my sister's heart who loses with him an 
income of ^1000 a year, and who I think is in a very 
ill way of health. The other relation we have lost is 
cousin Southwell, who died the fourth of this month, 
after having suffered greatly by an overturn in his 
coach, which occasioned much painful surgeon's work 
about his leg, which weakened him past recovery. 
He had a year ago some slight hurt of the palsy, and 
after that a fit of the apoplexy, in one of which he 
died without a groan or convulsion like a child fallen 
to sleep. 



272 PERCIVAL TO BERKELEY 

Since you so peremptorily [insist] on my receiving 
out of your Annuities the money you mention, rather 
than disoblige you by further refusal, as I find it 
would, I will comply with you; but I declare it shall 
go to some charitable use, or the furtherance of some 
good design, the merit of which will be in great part 
your own. 

If my wife could recover of her cholic we should 
all be well, but I think it rather grows upon her, for 
nothing but greater quantities of laudanum relieves 
her, though we try everything, and have been here 
since August for the use of these waters. She joins 
with the rest in affectionate service to you. I beg my 
humble service to your Lady and hope she with your 
child are in perfect health. 

Sir, 

Your, &c., 

Percival. 

Percival to Berkeley. 

London, \th p^b. 1 730/1. 
Dear Sir, 

Having an opportunity of writing to you 
given me by Mr Newman I cannot lose it, though 
I am in prodigious hurry, just come to town, and 
perplexed with variety of business after six months' 
absence from home, at Bath. I shall as soon as 
possible invest myself with your money in the funds 
as you desired, and be always ready to execute any 
other orders of yours. 

We are in great affliction for the death of my sister 
Bering the 24th of last month at Bath, which has 
thrown my wife into her bad state of health from which 
we have so long laboured to set her free. 

I hope you, and your Lady, and child are in perfect 
health, to whom my humble service, and am ever, &c., 

Percival. 



BERKELEY TO PERCIVAL 273 



My Lord, 



Berkeley to Percival. 

Rhode Island, 2«^ March, 1 730/3 1^ 



I was very much concerned at an account 
I met with not long since in the public papers of Dan 
Dering's death and the disposal of his employments. 
His good qualities and long intimate acquaintance 
(things that I myself shared in and was long a witness 
of) I doubt not endeared him to your Lordship as 
much as the nearness of relation. I am sincerely 
touched with everything that affects your Lordship 
and your family, but on this occasion I was sensibly 
affected on my own account. 

I have received such accounts on all hands both 
from England and Ireland that I now give up all 
hopes of executing the design which brought me into 
these parts. I am fairly given to understand that the 
money will never be paid. And this long continued 
delay and discountenance hath (as I am informed by 
several letters) made those persons who engaged with 
me entirely give up all thoughts of the College and 
turn themselves to other views. So that I am abso- 
lutely abandoned by every one of them. This dis- 
appointment which long lay heavy upon my spirits 
I endeavour to make myself easy under, by considering 
that we even know not what would be eventually good 
or bad, and that no events are in our power. Upon 
the whole my thoughts are now set towards Europe, 
where I shall endeavour to be useful some other way. 

What they foolishly call free thinking seems to me 
the principal root or source not only of opposition to 
our College but of most other evils in this age, and as 
long as that frenzy subsists and spreads, it is in vain 
to hope for any good either to the mother country 
or colonies, which always follow the fashions of Old 

^ Dean Berkeley intends to return : rec*^ at Charlton, 5 July 1731. P. 
R. i8 



274 PERCIVAL'S JOURNAL 

England. I am credibly informed that great numbers 
of all sorts of blasphemous books published in London 
are sent to Philadelphia, New York, and other places, 
where they produce a plentiful crop of atheists and 
infidels, I am to think more from an affectation of 
imitating English customs (which is very prevalent in 
America) than from any other motive. 

My wife and child are both I thank God very well, 
and very much, together with myself, humble servants 
to your Lordship and my good Lady. My wife is big 
with child and so far gone that we cannot safely put 
to sea least she should be brought to bed on shipboard. 
As soon as this event is over and that she and her 
infant can put to sea, I propose with God's blessing to 
return. I pray God preserve your Lordship and good 
family and remain with sincere affection and respect. 

My Lord, 

Your Lordship's most obed' 

and most obliged humble 

Servant, 

G. Berkeley. 



Peixival's Journal. 

Wednesday, lo March, 1731. 

I met Archdeacon Benson at Court who told me 
that he had heard about a month ago from Dean 
Berkeley, that by the Bishop of London's account he 
was preparing to come home. That an offer had been 
made the Dean that he should have the interest of the 
;^20,ooo promised by the Government for establishing 
his college, but that it should not be secured to him 
longer than while the Government pleased to pay it, 



OGLETHORPE TO BERKELEY 275 

which was offering nothing because no associates 
would go over to Bermuda on so precarious an ac- 
count. That Dr Downs, Bishop of Down, had writ 
an impertinent letter to the Dean requiring him to 
come home, and calling his scheme idle and simple. 
The Archdeacon likewise took notice of the project 
thought of by the trustees of the intended settlement 
in Carolina that Dean Berkeley should plant his College 
there, and give half the ^20,000 to us if we could 
procure the whole, but he thought there would be 
difficulty in it, and that it would not answer the Dean's 
end if obtained : to which I replied that were indeed 
doubtful, however, he must himself be here to consult 
with upon it. 



Mr Oglethorpe to Berkeley. 

May 1731^ 

Rev^ Sir, 

Mr Archdeacon Benson did me the honour 
of calling here, and acquainted me in a more particular 
manner with your most excellent design. I had heard 
in general of it before, and admired that extensive 
charity which had overcome the natural love men bear 
to their native country, and to those places and things 
which renew the pleasing ideas of youth ; that Christian 
charity which had for the sake of the ignorant, bar- 
barous Indians preferred labour and danger to ease and 
plenty, and chose study and abstinences in a wilderness, 
rather than the enjoyment of a plentiful fortune and 
large preferments in one of the most agreeable countries 
in Europe. 

Mr Archdeacon informed me of the many difficul- 
ties and obstacles you had met in that glorious design 

^ Mr Oglethorpe's letter to Dean Berkeley in Rhode Island, America, 
touching the CaroUna Colony. P. 

18—2 



276 OGLETHORPE TO BERKELEY 

of establishing an university, where the students were 
by daily exercise to be instructed in Christianity, 
temperance, patience, fortitude, and other laborious 
virtues, as well as in arts and sciences. 

When he told me there was no probability of your 
receiving the money voted by Parliament, I was not 
at all surprized, considering that in the paying to you 
the money no private views were to be gratified, no 
relation served, nor pander preferred, nor no de- 
praved opposition indulged. Mankind 'tis true was 
to be benefitted, and learning and revealed religion 
extended, but these were not ministerial points, and 
consequently might be opposed without danger of 
losing other pensions or employments. 

The reason Mr Archdeacon spoke to me more 
particularly upon your affairs, was, that there are 
several members of parliament, and others (of whom 
I have the honour to be one), associated together for 
the carrying on some good designs. Mr Archdeacon 
thought that we might be of some service towards 
effecting your truly Christian undertaking. He there- 
fore desired that I would communicate to you an 
account of this New Society. 

Charity and humanity is the motive that hath 
united them, and their end is the relieving the wants 
of their fellow creatures both in mind and body, there- 
fore from their very destitution they are obliged to 
be assistant to your design, since your motives and 
ends are the same. Many of these gentlemen by 
visiting the gaols became acquainted with the miseries 
of the distressed. Compassion for those wretched 
objects worked so strongly upon them, that they could 
not be easy till they had given them liberty, and near 
6000 insolvents, who must otherwise have perished in 
prison, were restored to mankind. The merely re- 
leasing them they thought an imperfect charity, since 
those only who had friends to put them in a way of 
subsistence could reap a real benefit from it, since 
others whose credit, health, and perhaps morals, were 



OGLETHORPE TO BERKELEY 277 

impaired by a prison could have no advantage from 
the Act, but the privilege of starving at large. They 
therefore thought of putting them in a Christian, moral, 
and industrious way of life, and instructing them how 
by labour to gain a comfortable subsistence for them- 
selves and families. They resolved alone not to 
confine this charity to prisoners, but to extend it as 
far as their funds would allow to all poor families as 
would be desirous of it. And in case it would not 
extend to all to choose out from among the prisoners 
and others, such as were most distressed, virtuous, 
and industrious. By this means they hope to take so 
many wretches from the utmost misery and settle them 
in a comfortable way of living, and of providing well 
for their children, who otherwise must perish through 
want. At the same time that this rescues them from 
want it would preserve them from such strong temp- 
tations to vice as I fear they are scarce able to resist. 

The Society have obtained the King's order for a 
grant of all the lands in South Carolina lying between 
the rivers Savannah and Alatamaha, and licence for 
collecting all charitys, and receiving all the legacies 
and donations, as shall be given to them. They intend 
to lay out the money they shall receive in sending out 
colonies of poor families after the Roman method, and 
to provide them passage, clothes, arms, working tools, 
&c., and provisions for one year, during which time 
they shall be under such regulations as shall oblige 
them to fortify, build houses, clear lands, and raise 
provisions for themselves, 

^ the situation of the intended town, health, safety, 
fertpity of soil, and commodiousness of access, will be 
considered. The Society will use their utmost en- 
deavours to prevent luxury and oppression in the 
officers, and idleness and vice in the people. They 
intend to send no governour to prevent the pride that 
name might instil. The power of government they 
intend to invest in an overseer and council of honest 
and discreet men. The division of the people is to 



278 OGLETHORPE TO BERKELEY 

be into hundreds and tithings under constables and 
tithing men, the men to be regularly armed and exer- 
cised, yet the lands where they establish to be pur- 
chased from the Indians and all measures used to keep 
peace and friendship with them, for which purpose 
none of the English will be permitted to go up into 
the country, unless it be such as are sent on embassies 
to the Indians. No rum nor intoxicating liquors will 
be allowed to be sold to the Indians, but public fairs 
are to be appointed at stated times, to which the 
Indian nations shall be invited, where judges shall be 
nominated to keep order and settle the prices of goods. 
The Indians shall upon all occasions be treated with 
the strictest justice and utmost humanity. 

Each poor family are to have as large farms allotted 
to them and their heirs for ever as will consist with 
contiguity, and the safety of the whole. All men from 
the very beginning are to be established as freemen 
and not as servants. 

In return of the money laid out upon them, of their 
being rescued from poverty, and instead of rent for 
their lands each man is to give one day's labour in 
six, which day's labour is to be employed on lands to 
be reserved for the use of the charity. Out of the 
produce of those public lands the aged and sick are 
to be subsisted, and the people to be supported in 
case of the casualities of famine, pestilence, or war ; 
and if there shall be any remainder it is to be applied 
by the Society to the sending over more poor families. 

There are many other regulations designed by the 
associates, which are too long now to give you a 
detail of, which they have formed with a view to 
health, safety, society, assistance, easy commerce, in- 
struction of youth, government of the people's manners, 
conveniency of religious assembling, and encourage- 
ment of mechanics. 

The undertaking hath met with great encourage- 
ment, as well from the public as from private persons ; 
the former being sensible that to this they will owe 



PERCIVAL'S JOURNAL 279 

the preserving of their people, the increasing the con- 
sumption of their manufactures, and the strengthening 
their American dominions. Mankind will be obliged to 
it, for the enlarging civility, cultivating wild countries, 
and founding of colonies, the posterity of whom may 
in all probability be powerful and learned nations. 
And lastly Christianity may be benefitted by this 
species of charity, since the discipline established by 
a society of virtuous men will certainly reform the 
manners of those miserable objects who shall be by 
them subsisted; and the sending of proper men with 
such a colony will contribute greatly towards the con- 
version and preaching the gospel to numberless nations 
who never yet heard the glad tidings of revealed 
religion. 



Percivars Journal. 

Monday, \'^ Nov. 1731. 

Dean Berkeley who arrived Saturday last from 
Rhode Island dined with me, and seems rejoiced that 
he treads English ground after three years' absence 
in a country of which he gives a very indifferent 
account. 

Sunday, "j^^ Nov. 1731. 

Dean Berkeley and Mr Counsellor Foster with his 
wife dined with us. 

Wednesday, \ 2^'' January, 1732. 

I went to Court. Mr Oglethorpe met Dean Berkeley 
at my house, and we sat from dinner to ten o'clock 
discoursing of our Carolina project. The Prince again 
told me he would take care of Dumaresque. I had 
a letter to meet the members of Parliament at the 
cockpit to see the King's speech, which he will make 
tomorrow, but I never yet went to any of those 



28o PERCIVAL'S JOURNAL 

meetings. They have an air of servileness I don't like, 
and if a member should happen to vote against any- 
thing recommended in the speech, he is not welJ 
looked on by his friends for doing so, after having 
appeared among a number of gentlemen who were 
resolved to approve all. 

Saturday, \<^*''- February, i73|. 

An unknown author of a book entitled Alciphron 
or the Mimite Philosopher in 2 vol. 8° sent me a copy. 
'Tis written by way of Dialogue against the modern 
free thinkers. His work is in the Socratic style, and 
I guessed it to be by Dean Berkeley though he never 
acquainted me that he was upon publishing anything. 
Soon after I knew the Dean wrote it. 

Tuesday, 22""^ February, 173 J. 

From the House [of Commons] I went to the 
Rose-Tavern in Chancery Lane, to the anniversary 
dinner, kept by the Society for Propagating Christian 
Knowledge, and afterwards I went to the Opera 
Susanne by Handel which takes the town, and that 
justly, for 'tis one of the best I ever heard. 

I heard the mortifying news there that Dean 
Berkeley has missed of the Deanery of Down, by a 
villainous letter wrote from the Primate of Ireland, 
that the Dean is a madman and disaffected to the 
Government. Thus the worthiest, the learnedest, the 
wisest, and most virtuous Divine of the three kingdoms, 
is by an unparalleled wickedness made to give way to 
Dean Daniel, one of the meanest in every respect. 
There is no respect of persons in this world, when 
God sends his blessings on the unjust as well as just, 
but in the other world these things are made up. 

Yr\did.y, 2^^'' February, 173 J. 

I returned home to dinner and had my concert, 
where the Earl of Grantham, Mr Walpole, Mr Corn- 
wall, Sir Edmond Anderson, Mr Duncomb, Sir Philip 



PERCIVAL'S JOURNAL 281 

Parker, Lady Parker, Duchess of Kent, Lady Straf- 
ford, Mrs Duncomb, and others were present. 

Lord Pomphret told me in relation to Dean Berke- 
ley's missing the Deanery of Down, that it was the 
Lord Lieutenant, who writ over that he was a madman, 
and highly disagreeable to all the King's best friends 
in Ireland. I wish the nation had been to be voted. 
My brother Percival told me that he heard it was 
Hoadly, Bishop of Dublin, who suggested this to the 
Duke in order to serve that worthless man Dean 
Daniel, and I doubt not but the Duke was willing to 
write this seeing Dean Berkeley did not sue for Down 
by his canal. 

Sunday, 27 February, 173^. 

Dean Berkeley, Dr Courayer, and brother and sister 
Percival, dined with me. The Dean told me it was 
the Lord Chancellor Hoadly, Archbishop of Dublin, 
and the Primate, who put the Duke of Dorset on 
writing the letter against him which lost him the 
Deanery of Down, and that they also worked particu- 
larly against him, going so far as to affirm that it would 
embarrass His Majesty's affairs were he appointed 
to it. The Dean added that he was much obliged to 
his friends here for resenting the matter so warmly, 
and that the Queen had said upon the arrival of those 
letters, that she must then provide for him in England. 

My sister Percival said that the Dean's book 
against the free thinkers, was the discourse of the 
Court, and that yesterday the Queen publicly com- 
mended it at her drawing room. 

After dinner I went to the King's Chapel where 
I expected to meet the Bishop of Salisbury \ brother 
to the Archbishop of Dublin, and resolved to show 
my resentment at the usage given Dean Berkeley. 
Dean Berkeley went to the chapel, and sat over 
against us. I said to the Bishop, yonder is one of the 

1 [Benjamin Hoadly (1676 — 1761), was Bishop of Salisbury, and 
John Hoadly (1678 — 1746) Archbishop of Dublin.] 



282 PERCIVAL'S JOURNAL 

worthiest, most learned, and most unexceptionable 
men in the three kingdoms, who has met with the 
wretchedest usage that ever was heard of. Who is 
that, said the Bishop? Dean Berkeley, said I. What 
usage has he met with, replied the other ? He has 
been, said I, defeated of the Deanery of Down by 
malicious letters writ from Ireland. What was writ, 
said he ? That he is a madman and disagreeable to 
the King's friends in Ireland, and this by persons who 
do not know the Dean. If they did not know him 
(said he) they did wrong, but who wrote them ? My 
Lord, replied I, I know the thing to be true, and I 
know the Dean, and their wickedness must be answered 
for in heaven. The Bishop then said, I mistook the 
matter, that indeed the Dean had made the first ap- 
plication on this side, but the preferment of Dean 
Daniel to Down was a reo"ular scheme sent over from 
Ireland, and the King immediately complied with it 
from a resolution he long had taken to prefer Dean 
Daniel, who was a worthy person, and had spent ^1400 
in defending the King's right to a presentation. I 
replied I had nothing to say against Dean Daniel, but 
that the methods to serve him by taking away Dean 
Berkeley's reputation were wicked and unpardonable. 
The Bishop replied, Dean Berkeley had done himself 
a great deal of hurt by undertaking that ridiculous 
project of converting the Indians, and leaving his 
Deanery where there was business enough for him to 
convert the Papists, and that his Bishop had writ to 
him and laid it on his conscience to return home, 
which he did not comply with. I answered that many 
wise and good men differed with his Lordship in 
opinion concerning that design. His Lordship said 
he knew not one wise man approved it. I answered 
the House of Commons had approved it, and addressed 
the late King to encourage it; and both the late King 
and the present had approved it by granting the Dean 
a charter, and ^20,000 to carry it on, though the money 
is not paid. The Bishop answered, all that was done 



PERCIVAL'S JOURNAL 283 

out of regard to the man, not the design. That his 
Lordship had spoken with Governour Hunter^ who 
told him Bermuda was the most improper place the 
Dean could pitch on for settling his College. I an- 
swered that did not prove the design in general was 
a bad one ; but I knew why Hunter disapproved 
Bermuda, it was because he would have had him 
settle it in New York, as the Governour himself told 
me. This discourse between us was while the lessons 
were reading. 

Tuesday, i/\f^ March, 173^. 

I staid at home all day because of my cold. Dean 
Berkeley came to see me. I promised to see the 
Bishop of London and let him know in justification 
of the Dean's affection to the Government, that when 
King George I came to the Crown, and the Torys 
began to foment a rebellion, he published a pamphlet 
entitled ' Advice to the Torys who have taken the 
Oathes,' wherein he laid it on the conscience to 
acquiesce in the present Government and be dutiful 
subjects, which was a step that a disaffected man, or 
who had any hopes of preferment by a change of 
the then Government, would never have taken, but 
it was a courageous and honest comportment. 

I asked him, if having laid aside his Bermuda 
scheme he would care to turn over to our Carolina 
settlement some part of the subscriptions that were 
made to his scheme, believing that he might influence 
many of the subscribers to bestow their intended gifts 
to what other good project he should recommend to 
them. He replied that many of his subscribers had 
desired him, in consideration of the charges he had 
been at in carrying on his own design, to accept their 
money as a present to reimburse himself, but that he 
had refused it, only recommended to them the letting 
their subscriptions go to the support of a College in 

^ [Robert Hunter was Governour of New York State from 1710 to 
1719.] 



284 PERCIVAL'S JOURNAL 

Connecticut, erected about thirty years ago by private 
subscription, and which breeds the best clergymen 
and most learned of any college in America. That 
the clergymen who left the Presbyterian Church and 
came over to ours last year were educated there. 
That as this College or rather Academy came nearest 
his own plan, he was desirous to encourage it, and 
having already proceeded so far as to recommend it 
to his subscribers, he could not do the thing I desired 
of him. 

He then told me that the Government were in- 
tending to provide for him in England, to which I 
said I knew nothing they could give him equivalent 
to his Deanery in Ireland except the Deanery of 
Paul's, which is generally held in Commendum, or an 
English Bishopric. That as to lesser matters, he 
should consider he was married, had a child, and might 
have more, which he was bound to provide for, and 
that his scheme had hurt his private fortune. He 
replied that if the Government gave him the Deanery 
of Canterbury when vacant he would accept, though 
but i^8oo a year, provided he had a promise of some 
prebendary annext to it. I told him it was dangerous 
depending on promises, but he said he would risk 
that. 

Wednesday, 15^^ March, 173 J. 

I visited Ned Southwell and wished him well on his 
journey. Then visited cousin Le Grand, and after- 
wards the Bishop of London, to whom I expressed my 
great abhorrence of the usage Dean Berkeley met with. 
The Bishop said the usage was abominable, and he 
pitied the Dean, who is in a bad situation, for he 
seems totally averse, nay fixt upon not going to Ireland, 
and yet cannot see what can be done for him in 
England. For to make him an English Bishop would 
be impossible : it would revolt all the clergy of England, 
besides, the nobility who have friends to promote would 
effectually oppose it, and there is not zeal enough in 



PERCIVAL'S JOURNAL 285 

the ministry to do so much for the Dean. Then as to 
Deanerys, there are very few are equivalent to his 
Deanery of Derry, and those that are he would not 
get, for the same reason he would not get a Bishopric. 
That Durham is worth ^^1500 a year, St Paul's held 
in Commendum and will be alway disposed of to a 
favourite. That Canterbury is but ^750 p. ann. but 
the possessor will at all times have other good prefer- 
ments, which will engage him not to leave his native 
country for a Bishopric in Ireland. That Salisbury is 
^600 a year, but the present possessor Dr Clark, 
having with it two other good livings, will not quit his 
prospect of rising in England to be an Irish Bishop. 
The like might be said of Dr Gilbert, Dean of Exeter, 
who is besides clerk to the King's closet, and in 
expectation of succeeding to the Bishopric of Exeter. 
That the Deanery of York is in the hands of Dr 
Orbaldeston, a gentleman of that country who has two 
other livings and in expectation of succeeding to a 
great estate. That, in a word, no clergyman who has 
interest or pretensions to be advanced in England, will 
go to an honourable banishment in Ireland, and that 
if Dean Berkeley waits in hopes of such an oppor- 
tunity, he would wait for an uncertainty, and though 
he should succeed and get a Deanery, it would never 
be made up an equivalent for the loss of his Deanery, 
but it is a question if the Dean can be allowed to be so 
long absent from his duty, as such an expectation will 
require. 

I replied that by what I could find. Dean Berkeley 
had no ambition to be a Bishop in either kingdom, 
that his view in asking the Deanery of Down was 
twofold, and both very reasonable : namely that he 
might have gone over with a mark of his Majesty's 
good countenance to him, and in a reasonable time 
repair his private fortune, which by the prosecution of 
his design of settling a college in the Bermudas and 
the defeat thereof had suffered. This the Deanery 
of Down would have done, being now ^200 a year 



286 PERCIVAL'S JOURNAL 

more worth than that of Derry. That since the 
wicked letters writ against him from Ireland repre- 
senting him a madman and disaffected to the Govern- 
ment, it was become more necessary for him to insist 
on some mark of His Majesty's favour to clear his 
reputation in those respects, and that his friends who 
knew his principles and conversation could not but 
earnestly press it. That for myself, I had known him 
twenty-five years and could say many things in justi- 
fication of his zeal for the Government : particularly, 
that the year King George the First succeeded to the 
crown, when the Torys and Jacobites were laying that 
scheme for a rebellion which broke out soon after, he 
writ a pamphlet entitled 'Advice to Torys who have 
taken the Oathes,' wherein he laid it on their con- 
sciences to behave like good subjects, and used other 
prudential reasons, which exposed him to all the 
malice of the adverse power, and had effectually ruined 
him if they had prevailed, that nevertheless he boldly 
declared himself at that critical juncture, when few 
others would venture so to do. That as to his being 
a madman, I would only have those who take the 
report lightly up read his late book against the free- 
thinkers. That I could not but be astonished at the 
character writ of him in Ireland and transmitted over 
to defeat him of his pursuit, when as it was false in 
fact, so they who did write could not possibly know 
him, he having been seven or nine years out of 
Ireland, but I would engage that if that kingdom had 
been polled, ninety-nine in a hundred would have 
testified for him, and that if it were practicable every 
grand jury there would do the same. That it was a 
mean, unworthy, thing to injure him for the sake of 
serving Dr Daniel, or any other person. Lastly, that 
'tis very unfortunate that two or three Bishops there, 
(whom I named, the Primate and A. B. of Dublin), 
should make schemes for Irish preferments. 

The Bishop replied, that he did not know of any 
letter written from Ireland, but by the Lord Lieutenant, 



PERCIVAL'S JOURNAL 287 

who did indeed represent him as a madman and a person 
disagreeable to the kingdom, but said nothing against 
his affection to the government. 

But it was the Bishops I mentioned and the Lord 
Chancellor who so informed my Lord Lieutenant. 
That as to any discourse of his disaffection it pro- 
ceeded from the answer my Lord Wilmington (Lord 
President) made to Her Majesty, who asking him what 
reason the kingdom of Ireland had that the Dean 
should be disagreeable to them, replied, he could not 
tell, unless that he was very great with Dean Swift. 
But to bring the matter to a point (continued the 
Bishop) I see no way to do for the Dean but to make 
him a Bishop in Ireland, which can only be done by 
his going over to his Deanery, with assurances from 
hence of his being made one when a vacancy happens, 
or to make Dean Daniel a Bishop and let Dean Berkeley 
succeed him in Down. 

I replied, assurances from hence of making Dean 
Berkeley a Bishop were absolutely necessary of his 
going over, that his reputation might be retrieved, but 
how to get those assurances is the question : for 
I feared those who had writ asfainst him would not 
be thought to eat their words, and the same objection 
against translating him to Down would be against 
making him a Bishop. The Bishop replied, it was 
true, and therefore when in Ireland he should en- 
deavour to get the good opinion of those who now 
were his enemies, that if they could not be brought to 
recant openly, they might be induced to sit silent and 
not oppose his Majesty's good disposition, which my 
Lord Wilmington was able and the proper man to 
compass. I answered it was a hard chapter for a 
person of so much innocence, merit, and sufferings to 
court his enemies, which persons of their character 
would expect he should do by servile and unworthy 
behaviour towards them. 

The Bishop said that might be avoided by instruc- 
tions from hence. He then said he neither thought 



288 PERCIVAL'S JOURNAL 

well of the Primate, nor A. B. of Dublin. That with 
the former he corresponded very little, having been used 
so basely by him in breaking his word, which he had 
given to recommend the Bishop of Litchfield, and 
afterwards recommending Dr Hoadly. And that he 
had no correspondence at all with A. B. Hoadly, whose 
preferment to Dublin he had openly opposed with all 
his might. 

M onday , i '^ May, 1732. 

Col. Schutz, Dean Berkeley, and Lord Palmerston 
kept me at home part of the morning, then I went 
to the House and returned home to dinner, 

Friday, ^^^ February, i73f. 

Dined at home, and in the evening I had my 
concert. Performers, Sir Edmond Anderson, Sir" 
Lyonel Pickering, Mr Withrington, Mr Needier, 
Mellan, Dobson, Pain, Prat, Sambrake, Bothmar, Mutso, 
Bagnal, my brother : and of profest musicians, Pasque- 
lini, Arragoni, Vernon, the opera woman and the 
great Bas. 

The company were brother Parker, Lord Bathurst, 
Sir Thomas Hanmer, Mr Hanmer, Dean Berkeley, 
Mr Cornwall, Sir John Barker, Mr Clerke, Mr Hildsley, 
Mr Fortrey, sister Percival, Mrs Minshull, Mrs 
Devereux, Mrs Spencer. 

Saturday, 14^^ April, 1733. 

This morning my daughter Katherine was married 
to Mr Hanmer at Spring-garden Chapel by Dean 
Berkeley. There were present my own family, my 
aunt Whorwood, and cousins Edward Southwell and 
his Lady, Betty Southwell, Will Le Grand and his 
sister, my brother and sister Percival, and brother 
Parker and his Lady ; Sir Thomas Hanmer, and Mr 
Job Hanmer of Buckinghamshire, uncle to Mr 
Hanmer. We ourselves immediately set out for 
Charlton, and in the evening, Sir Thomas Hanmer 



PERCIVAL'S JOURNAL 289 

and his Lady, my son Hanmer and his brother and 
sister, and brother and sister Percival, came down and 
staid with us till Sunday afternoon. 

Tuesday, 22""^ May, 1733. 

Dean Berkeley, and Dr King, a senior fellow of 
Dublin College, dined with me. They came to advise 
about applying for new statutes for preserving the 
books of the library ; and some others, thought 
necessary for the better government and honour of 
the College. 

I gave Dr King my opinion that it was a dangerous 
thing to meddle in, because, if once they come to 
altering or procuring new statutes, the crown, which 
always takes advantage of such matters, will probably 
increase its power over them, and add something they 
may not like. Or they will give their visitors a greater 
power, one of whom (the A. B. Dr Hoadly of Dublin) 
they do not think their friend. 

Dean Berkeley was of the same opinion, and Dr 
King concluded that he would write to Ireland to 
acquaint them with the objections he met with from 
gentlemen on this side, and receive their commands 
a second time before he delivered the Lord Justice's 
letters to the Lord Lieutenant on this behalf. 

Dean Berkeley made me an offer to lend me 
;^3000 at 5 p. cent. Irish : or the value thereof, 
English money, at like interest English, which I ac- 
cepted, and am to prepare a draft of mortgage. 

Friday, i'^ June, 1733. 

I visited Dean Berkeley and settled with him the 
borrowing of ^3000 Irish, for which he is to have 
5 p. cent. Irish ; and he is to pay me that sum in English 
money, at the rate exchange shall be when we sign the 
writings. 

I visited Mr August Schutz and Mr J. Temple, and 
then went to Court where the King and Queen spoke 

R. 19 



290 BERKELEY TO EARL OF EGMONT 

a considerable time to me, and the Princess Amelia 
jested with me, that I should have taken it ill she 
laughed at Tunbridge Wells in Church, and that 
I laughed myself at Charlton Church. I replied she 
had been misinformed, I did not laugh at the clerk; 
but a scoundrel ballad singer came and made such 
a wretched work with singing his air, that if I had 
been buried in one of the graves I should have risen 
and laughed. 

I dined with brother Percival and in the evening 
went to Mr Annesley and gave him instructions to 
draw the mortgage to be made to Dean Berkeley. 

Wednesday, i August, 1733. 

This day I went to London, and called on Coun- 
sellor Annesley where I met Dr Berkeley, Dean of 
Derry, and perfected to him a mortgage of lands in 
Ireland for ^3000 Irish money, lent me at 5 p. cent. 
Irish money payable in Ireland. The money paid 
me in English was ^2700, which I received on 
signing the mortgage and lodged it with Mr Hoare 
the banker. 



Berkeley to the ist Earl of Egmont. 

London, Thursday noon [1733]. 

My Lord, 

This morning I endeavoured to have waited 
on your Lordship at your house in Pall Mall, but was 
told there that you intend going tomorrow from 
Charlton to Bath, I therefore take this opportunity 
of congratulating your Lordship on your new honour, 
which I most heartily wish yourself and your posterity 
may long enjoy with the greatest prosperity. How 
just a title you have to it, I endeavoured to say in the 
preamble, a rough draught whereof I had some time 
since put into my young Lord Percival's hands to be 
perused by you, intending nevertheless when I had 







Si' 



y. /)/7u///zW/r'/JimlyIA^-D:\ 



John, Earl of Egmont 



PERCIVAL'S JOURNAL 291 

your Lordship's thoughts thereupon to have reviewed 
and corrected it. The theme was ample, but I was 
straitened by your Lordship's commands which I shall 
always think it my duty to obey. Whatever defects 
you observe in it I beg you to impute not to want of 
care or zeal, but to the disorder in my head which is 
very great and renders me more unfit for things of 
that kind than I have formerly been. I thank your 
Lordship for the American pacquet you have pleased 
to forward my wife, which she is still hourly expecting. 
I conclude with both our humble services, and best 
wishes of health and happiness to yourself, and the good 
countess of Egmont. 

My Lord, yr Lordship's most obedient and 
most humble Servant, 

G. Berkeley. 



Percivars JoMrnal. 

Wednesday, 16''' January, 173^. 

This morning I visited Dean Berkeley to con- 
gratulate him upon being designed Bishop of Cloyne 
in Ireland, but he was not at home. 

Thursday, if'- January, i73f. 

At my return home [from the House of Parliament] 
to dinner, which was between five and six, I found 
Dean Berkeley, who acquainted me that this morning 
he kissed the King's and Queen's hands for the 
Bishopric of Cloyne, which gave me inexpressible 
pleasure, for besides that he is my intimate friend, 
my estate is in his diocese. The Bishop of London 
told me that the Bishopric was designed him a week 
ago, and that there was no doubt of it, the Duke of 
Dorset having recommended him from Ireland, Sir 
Robert Walpole consenting, and the Queen and Lord 

19 — 2 



292 PERCIVAL'S JOURNAL 

Wilmington and himself very much approving it. The 
Bishopric passes for ^1300 a year, but is effectually 
;^i200, and has a good house on it. 

Monday, ^*'' April, 1736. 

I should have mentioned that before I went to the 
House this morning, I met Mr Vernon, Mr Bedford, 
and Capt. Coram, at the Georgia office, being the 
monthly meeting of Dr Bray's Trustees, where was 
granted a library to a New England minister of the 
Church of England, who came in person to desire it. 
He says the dissenters there come very fast over to 
our Church, occasioned by the fanaticism and rigidness 
of their own church establishment, for on no account 
whatever they will give the sacrament of baptism to 
children except in the congregation, so that many 
infants die [un]baptized, neither will they receive any 
to the Communion of the Lord's Supper, who have 
not the consent of the congregation, and acquaint 
them publicly with the very day of their conversion to 
God, and their progress in reformation of their lives, 
which many good people are not able to do, and 
are likewise afraid lest they should lie unto God. 
Neither will they suffer any to be Godfathers that 
have not taken the communion in the manner afore- 
said. 

He told us that eleven Presbyterian or Inde- 
pendent ministers are now come over to the Church 
of England, and have all churches, his own being in 
Connecticut consisting of fifty families. 

He added that when Dean Berkeley left Rhode 
Island he presented a farm he bought there for ;^I200 
sterling to Yale College in New England together 
with a noble collection of books. That the profits of 
that farm were appointed to go to the maintenance of 
three students in Divinity, without restraining them 
to be members of any particular church, which had 
greatly softened the dissenters to the Church of 
England. 



BERKELEY TO LORD PERCIVAL 293 

Thursday, 2']^'' May, 1736. 

I also sent Bishop Berkeley's second part of 
Queries to Mr Richardson to be reprinted. 

Berkeley to Lord Percival^. 

[Cloyne, 1742.] 
My Dear Lord, 

I am very much obliged by the letter you 
favoured me with amidst such a hurry of business. 
And I should have acknowledged the obligation sooner, 
if I had not been shy of breaking in upon your busy 
moments. The scene of affairs on your side of the 
water is a very horrid one as your Lordship sketched 
it out, and I doubt not your sketch is a very just 
one. Hard as it is to ride out such stormy weather 
your Lordship is embarked and must go through it, 
with the utmost caution not to make a wrong step at 
this critical conjuncture. It is indeed very difficult not 
to make a censurable step on such tottering and 
unstable footing, especially whilst there are so many 
open and earnest eyes ready to remark. In a state 
unsettled and factious as that of England, it must be 
owned, the honestest and prudentest man alive may 
be often at a loss how to act, with whom to act, 
or whether to act at all. This was the circum- 
stance of Cicero in the Roman State, and his letters 
contain many useful hints and parallels to our present 
time. 

The modern patriots have to my mind shewn as 
little skill as honesty. Their dividing from their body 
puts them absolutely in the power of the late ministers, 
who have baited them with present advantages, and 
in all appearance will soon have them out again. For 
how is it possible they should long subsist without the 
favour either of Prince or People. It seems therefore 

^ [John Percival, who became the second Earl of Egmont, was elected 
in 1741 a member of parliament from Westminster.] 



294 PERCIVAL'S JOURNAL 

a clear case that the old ministry will bring in their 
old friends. 

Much might be said for supporting^ the Queen of 
Hungary and demolishing the power of France. But 
whether this might not be better and cheaper done by 
supplies of money than troops is a question your 
Lordship can better decide than I. But I blame 
myself for pretending to speak of matters so much 
out of my sphere. Thus much however may be said 
in general, and it holds true at all times : that it is 
politic to stand by one's friends and honest to abide 
by principles ; and that those two points of steadiness 
and honesty, where they meet, do constitute the surest 
basis for a great reputation, the most necessary of all 
engines for a man that would make a great and useful 
figure in public affairs. 

Pardon, my good Lord, this political stuff that 
I write for want of news. This island is a region 
of dreams and trifles of so little consequence to the 
rest of the world, that I am sure you expect no im- 
portant news from it. But I could tell you a very 
ridiculous piece of news I lately heard from Dublin, 
which I am sure would make you laugh, but as it would 
be at the expense of a prelate, I must be excused 
telling it. 

My best wishes and respects attend you and yours. 

I am, my dear Lord, yr most obedient 
and faithful Serv', 

G. Cloyne. 

Percivar s Journal. 
Thursday, 20^''' November, 1746. 

This month I remitted ^3000 Irish to Dublin to 
pay off Bishop Berkeley's mortgage money. 

^ [Lord Percival favoured in a speech in 1742 the granting of aid to 
Maria Theresa, Queen of Hungary.] 



K. PERCIVAL TO LORD PERCIVAL 295 

Monday, aS^^ December, 1746. 

I received from Ireland the assignment from 
Bishop Berkeley of my mortgage of lands to him 
in Ireland. The assignment is made to my niece 
Bering for ^2700 which she paid him 29th October 
last. 



Kene Percival to Lord Percival. 

Pennyhinck, \(>ih June, 1747^. 
My Lord, 

I had yesterday an account that the good 
Bishop of Cloyne has given my brother Charles the 
parish of Mitchelstown, and a prebendary in his 
Cathedral void by the death of Mr Ryder and worth 
as I am informed about ^120 or ^130 a year. As 
I am sure his having the honour of being related to 
Lord Egmont and your Lordship was some motive 
to the Bishop to confer this favour it was my duty 
to give your Lordship as early an account of it as 
I was able. 

lit -V? -^t -St -if- -it* 

•Tr 'A* -TV* -Tr -7? -/r 

I am, my Lord, 
Your Lordship's 

most obedient and obliged 
humble Serv', 

K. Percival. 

1 From Rev. Mr Kene Percival, i6* June, 1747, that Dr Berkeley, 
Bishop of Cloyne, has given his brother Charles Percival the living of 
Mitchels Town in County Cork and made him Prebendary in his 
Cathedral. 



296 K. PERCIVAL TO EARL OF EGMONT 

Kene Percival to the 2nd Earl of Egmont. 

Dublin, b^^^ Feb. 1753. 
My Lord, 

The death of the Bishop of Cloyne is uni- 
versally lamented and must be much more sensibly 
felt by you and his other friends, who had the pleasure 
of an intimate acquaintance with him. He was very 
kind to my brother Charles and had given him reason 
to expect further marks of his favour. His successor, 
Dr Stopford, is a man of great merit, and when he 
comes to be acquainted with my brother will, I believe, 
find that he is also deserving. If your Lordship could 
prevail on Lord Bath who was his patron to recom- 
mend my brother to him it might make amends for the 
great loss he has had in his late Bishop. 

Mrs Percival joins with me in our best respects 
to your Lordship and all your family. 

I am. 

My Lord, 
Your Lordship's most obliged, 
most obedient humble 
Servant, 

K. Percival. 
Your Godson is very well. 

To the Right Honourable 
Earl of Egmont, 
in Pall Mall, 
London. 



INDEX 



Addison, 16-17, 107, iii, 112, 113, 

117, 118 
Adriatic sea, 24 
Aeneas, 165 
Alatamabia river, 277 
Albermarle, Earl of, 102 
Alciphron, 8, 38, 45, 47, 48, 49, 280 
Alps, 28, 131, 138, 164, 171, 177 
America, 31-47, 206, 230-279 
Angelo, Michael, 27, 127 
Anne, Queen, 18, 29, 34 
Annesley, Mr, 290 
Antinous, 174 
Antiquities, 162, 165 
Apennines, 24, 25, 165 
Apulia, 167 
Arbuthnot, Dr, 17, 114, 121, 128, 

179 
Ardessa, 24 
Argyle, Duke of, 22, 113, 143, 147, 

148 
Arianism, 87 
Armagh, Dean of, 190 
Arnold, Christopher, 242, 247 
Asaph, Bishop of, 226 
Ashe, St George, 23, 27, 28, 33, 

160, 161, 171, 172, 173, 174, 176, 

186 
Atheism, 48 
Athens, 66, 225 
Aubigne, Abbe d', 19, 129 

Bacon, Friar, 136 
Balfour, A. J., 48 
Bank, Irish, 181, i82,jj 183, 184, 

185 
Bar-le-Duc, 150 
Bath, 155, 200, 201-203, 221, 266, 

290 
Beleitha, Mr, 230 
Benedictines, 163 
Beneventum, 24 



Benson, Martin, 36, 41, 267, 269, 
274, 275, 276 

Berkeley, George, birth and an- 
cestry, I ; at Trinity College, 
i~i5) 53-104? 178-200, 207-221; 
life in London, 15-18, 104-121, 
125-126, 139-157, 201-206, 226- 
236, 279-292; at Oxford, 121-124; 
continental tours, 18-29, 128-138, 
158-177 ; residence in America, 
31-46, 237-274; Dean of Derry, 
217; Bishop of Cloyne, 50-52, 
293-295 ; death of, 52-53, 296 

Berkeley, Mrs George, 236, 237, 
241, 249, 255 

Berkeley, Rev. George, 39, 51 

Berkeley, George Monck, 33, 39 

Berkeley, Henry, 38, 51, 251, 255, 
257 

Berkeley, John, 39 

Berkeley, Julia, 39, 51 

Berkeley, Lucia, 38, 43, 274 

Berkeley, WilHam, 39, 51 

Berkeley, William (father), i 

Berkeley of Stratton, Lord, 3 

Bermuda, 31-32, 34, 47, 203-207, 
214, 224, 227, 232, 244-245, 254, 
256-257, 269, 270 

Berwick, IDuke of, 107 

Betterton, Mr, 2 

Bianchi, 176 

Bickerstaff, Squire, 69 

Blackwell, Thomas, 25, 26, 43 

Bligh, Mr, 115, 126 

Blithe, Mr, 90 

Boei^haave, Dr Hermann, 213, 271 

Bolingbroke, Lord, 102, 143 

Bologna, 161 

Boston, 39, 43, 237, 240, 241, 255, 
262 

Bourbon, Duke of, 234 

Boyle, Mr, 72 



298 



INDEX 



Bramante, 172 
Bray, Dr, 34, 230, 292 
Bristol, 221 
Bruce, J. Douglas, 26 
Brundisium, 24, 167 
Brussels, 177 

Buckingham, Duke of, 184 
Bulkeley, Sir Richard, 72 
Burlington, Lord, 30, 179, 191, 199 
Burton, 14, 100, 103, 122, 125 
Byrd, William, 40, 41, 243-247, 
259-260 

Caesar, Julius, 174, 175 

Cairns, Mr, 174, 176 

Calabria, 167 

Calais, 128 

Campailla, Tommaso, 26 

Campania, 165 

Cannae, 162 

Canterbury, 228, 284, 285 

Capua, 165 

Capuchins, 163 

Carmelites, 163 

Carolina, 47, 270, 275-283 

Caroline, Queen, 8, 10, 22, 49, 257, 

259, 281, 291 
Carr, Charles, 22, 58, 159 
Carteret, Lord,^ 34 
Castletown, 194 
Cato, 16, 17, 112, 113, 116 
Cecil, Catherine, 2 
Cenis, Mt., 20, 23, 160 
Chamberlayne, John, 1 1 
Chancery Lane, 280 
Chantership, 190, 191 
Chantilly, 234 
Charles, King, 65 
Charlton, 193, 195, 200, 206, 211, 

213, 228, 290 
Charter, 225, 227, 262 
Church, Christ, 190, 191 
Church, Trinity, 39, 43 
Cicero, 293 

Clarendon, Earl of, 125, 143 
Clarke, Samuel, 8-12, y2)i ^7i 88, 93, 

94 
Clayton, Robert, 41, 238, 259, 262, 

265, 267 
Clerke, Mr, 64, 79, 98, 104, 106, 

125, 288 
College in Bermuda, Project of, 

31-46, 203-206, 209, 212, 219, 

220, 223-225, 227-232, 235, 238, 

242-245, 248, 250-260, 267-270, 

273, 275, 283 



College, Kings, 39, 45 

College, Trinity (Dublin), i, 4, 15, 

30, 34, 35, 57-104, 178-198, 269, 

289 
College, Trinity (Hartford), 45 
College of William and Mary, 2i7 
Combe, 150 
Conderon, Mr, 78 
Connecticut, 284, 292 
Conolly, Mr, 194, 195, 197 
Constitutions, 62, 76 
Corbett, Thomas, 237, 247, 248, 256 
Cork, 3, 4, 29, 34, 47, 57, 186 
Cornwall, 271 
Courayer, Francois de, 49, 228, 

229, 241, 258, 261, 263, 265, 281 
Cranmer, 66 
Cromwell, 2, 63 
Curtius, 65 

Dalton, Richard, 36, 39, 236, 254 
Dana, Richard Henry 2nd, 45 
Daniel, Richard, 49, 72, 216, 281, 

282, 286 
D'Aumont, Duke, 105 
Delon, Mr, 230 
De Moeur, Mr, 2 
De Motu, 28 
Dering, Catherine, 2 
Dering, Charles, 105, 169, 207 
Dering, Daniel, 3, 57, 74, loi, II4, 

117, 118, 169, 206-207, 225, 241, 

249, 266, 271, 272 
Dering, Mrs Daniel (Mary Parker), 

98, 99, no, 147, 167, 173, 177 
Dering, Sir Edward, 2 
Dering, Harry, 222 
Derry, Deanery of, 30, 31, 199, 

217-219, 285 
Descartes, i 
Devonshire, 153 
Devonshire, Duke of, 119 
Dialogue, 13, 120 
Dissenters, 230, 292 
Donnellan, Mrs, 98 
Don Quixote, 244 
Dorset, Duke of, 49, 291 
Dover, 19, 128, 142 
Down, Deanery of, 186, 280, 281, 

282, 285, 286 
Drelingcourt, Dr, 190 
Dromore, Deanery of, 30, 31, 178, 

183-199, 217, 259 
Dryden, 184 
Dublin, 12, 14, 67, 91, 104, 126, 

133' 134, 146, 225, 294 



INDEX 



299 



Du Hamel, Col., 128, 130 
Dunkirk, 187 
Duplin, Lord, 149, 150 
Durham, 269, 285 
Dutch, 143 

Eccleshal, Mr, 220 
Eden, 215 
Education, 14, 97 
Edwards, Jonathan, 39 
Eliot, Rev. Jared, 144 
Elysium, 20, 136 
Empedocles, 65 

England, 15, 20, 29, 36, 60, 131, 
138, 163, 172, 240, 268, 269, 274, 

293 
England, Bank of, 184 
England, Church of, 241 
Ennishawen, 220 
Erasmus, 91 
Etna, 65 
Euboea, 169 
Europe, 170, 241 

Fairfax, Mr, 179 

Finch, Mr, 234 

Flanders, 21, 234 

Florence, 20, 23, 28, 136, 138, 161, 

274 
Florida, 41, 245 
Forster, John, 36, 136 
France, 60, 102, 114, 127, 131, 139, 

143, 153. 162 
Eraser, A. C, 2, 23 

Gaols, 46, 276, 277 

Garth, Dr, 116 

Genoa, 3, 20, 21, 131, 134, 135, 138 

George I, 21, 29, 152, 283, 286 

Georgia, 46, 47, 52 

Germany, 3 

Geronster, 210, 213 

Gibson, Edward, 42, 49 

Gilbert, Dr, 285 

Gloucestershire, 140 

Government, 64 

Grafton, Duke of, 22, 30, 158, 181, 

185, 188, 189, 215, 216, 218 
Gravesend, 36 
Greece, 225 
Greek, 3, 45, 1 10 
Greenwich, 236 
Guardian, the, 15, 16, no 

Hales, Mr, 230 
Halifax, Lord, 1 1 3 



Haller, Dr, 229 

Hamilton, General, 151 

Hampton Court, 47, 122 

Handcock, Mrs, 36, 257, 262 

Hanmer, Sir Thomas, 14, 145, 288 

Hannibal, 24, 165, 167 

Hanover, 119 

Harley, Lord, 114 

Hebrew, 132, 135 

Henry VII, 67 

Henry VIII, 136 

Hiero, 169 

Higden, Wilham, 6, 61, 62, 63 

Hoadly, Benjamin, 259, 281, 283 

Hoadly, John, 258, 259, 261, 286, 

289 
Hoare, Benjamin, 238, 242, 247, 

253, 260, 261, 269, 290 
Hoare, Henry, 242 
Hobbes, i 
Hoffman, Mr, 85 
Holland, 3, 21, 138, 149, 162 
Homer, 165 

Homrigh, Mrs H. van (cf. Omry) 
Honyman, Rev. James, 39, 241 
Horace, 2^, 25, 165, 167 
Hort, Bishop, 139 
Howells, Wm. Dean, 41 
Hungary, 294 

Hunter, Governour, 42, 283 
Hutchinson, Mr, 42, 263 

Idealism, 10, 11, 13, 51 

Ignatio, Signer, 225 

Hay, Lord, 143 

Indians, 244, 245, 269, 275, 278,282 

Ireland, i, 3, 124, 133, 202, 206, 

265, 272, 282, 286, 287, 295 
Ischia (Inorine), 25, 38, 168, 169 
Italy, 3, 20-29, I3i-i38» i6i-i77, 

240 
Ives, Mr, 123 

Jacobites, 21, 75, 107, 146, 149, 153 

286 
Jacobitism, 22 

James, John, 36, 39, 236, 255 
James II, King, 38, 129, 229 
Jersey, Lord, 149 
Jesuits, 163, 179 
Jews, 61 

Johnson, Rev. Samuel, 39, 44, 45 
Journal, Percival's, 8, 27, 29, 47. 

279-289, 291-292, 294 

Kew, 195 



300 



INDEX 



Killala, Bishop of, 261 

Killaloe, Bishop of, 156 

King, Dr, 289 

King, Robin, 222 

King, William, 7, 8, 73, 258 

King de facto, 6, 61, 62, 63 

King de jure, 6, 61, 62, 63 

Lambert, Dr Ralf, 30, 64, 72, 95 

Landsdowne, Lord, 149, 150 

Langley, Alfred G., 44 

Langton, Mr, 90, 91 

Latin, 15, no 

Laules, Major-Gen., 107 

Lecce (Aletium), 166 

Leghorn, 20, 133, 136, 137, 138, 

173, 174 
Le Grand, Helena, 4-5 
Leibniz, i, 44 
Leiden, 271 
Leo, Pope, 172 
Le Quien, Michel, 228, 265 
Lesley, Dean, 196, 228, 229 
Locke, I, 6, 8, 64, 97 
London, 21, 31, 34, 37, 163, 201, 

202, 274 
Londonderry, 220 
Louis XIV, 145, 146 
Louis XV, 234 
Lucca, 136 

Lumley, General, 143 
Lyons 28, 130, 131, 134, 138 

MacSparren, Rev. James, 39 

Magnolfi, Laurence, 176 

Malebranche, 11, 19, S7, 89, 129 

Mandeville, 48 

Mar, Earl of, 22, 153, 170 

Maria Theresa, 294 

Marlborough, Duke of, 116, 148 

Marshal, Robert, 33 

Mascarenes, 133, 149, 152 

Masham, Lady, 113 

Materialism, 13 

Meath, 97 

Medici, 137 

Minshull, Mrs, 164, 169, 288 

Mitchelstown, 295 

Modena, 161 

Molyneux, Samuel, 7, 71, 72, 74, 

104, 105, 115, 194, 195, 196 
Molyneux, William, 2 
Montrose, Duke of, 143 
Mortgage, 289, 290, 294, 295 
Moses, 83 
Music, 3, 122, 130, 163, 165, 288 



Naples, 23-25, 1 61 -169 

New England, 39 

Newgate, 249 

New Haven, 44 

Newman, Henry, 239, 243, 247, 

251, 252, 256, 272 
Newport, 36-46, 237-274 
Newton, Isaac, 6, 9, 26, 27 
New York, 42, 45, 274 
Noetica, 39 

Normandy, Robert Duke of, 60 
Norris, John, 11, 87, 89 
Northcote, Dean, 216 
Norway, 246 
Nottingham, Lord, 136, 150 

Oglethorpe, James Edward, 46, 47, 

130, 270, 275-279 
Oldfield, Mrs Nancy, 17, 115 
Omry, Mrs Hester van, 32, 207- 

208, 211, 235 
Opei-a, 122, 207, 280 
Orbaldeston, 286 

Orleans, Duke of, 23, 145-147, 150 
Ormond, Duke of, 21, 22, 153 
Ottoboni, Cardinal, 163 
Oxford, 52, 1 21-124 

Padua, 220 

Palermo. 20, 134, 137 

Pall Mall, 228, 290 

Palmerston, Lord, 230, 288 

Papists, 75, 163, 210, 282 

Paris, 19, 21, 128, 134, 173, 227 

Parker, Mary (cf Dering, Mrs 

Daniel) 
Parker, Sir Philip, 10, 116, 281 
Parma, 161, 163 
Parnell, Dr, 112 
Partinton, 211, 235 
Pasquelini, 288 
Paul, Col., 146 
Payzant, Mr, 198, 214 
Pembroke, Lord, 45, 78, 85, 86, 88, 

90, 92, 95. 97, 105, 109, 173 

Pepyat, Mr, 91 

Percival, Catherine, 14, loi, 103, 288 

Percival, Lady Catherine, 10, 11, 
14, n, 83-84, 95, 96, III, 124, 
134, 155, ^n^ 187, 188, 190, 206, 
211, 232, 235, 241, 261, 268, 274 

Percival, George, 14, 188, 207, 232, 

233, 234 
Percival, Helena, 14, 187 
Percival, John, 2nd Earl of Egmont, 

14, loi, 103, 187, 293-296 



INDEX 



301 



Percival, Sir John, ancestry, 2 ; edu- 
cation, 2-3 ; marriage, 10; made 
Viscount, 30; 1st Earl of Egmont, 
50, 290-291 ; a philanthropist, 
46-47, 253, 275-279 ; residence 
in London, 59-93, 135-162, 191- 
192,241-249,272-291 ; in Dublin, 
117, 1 1 9-1 2 1 ; at Charlton, 180- 
184, 199-200, 218-225, 256-266 ; 
death of, 51-52 

Percival, Mary, 14 

Percival, Philip, 201, 263-264 

Percival, Philip Clarke, 14, 140, 
144 

Percival, William, 72, 74, 95 

Peterborough, Lord, 19,20,21, 127, 
132, 134, 135. 137, 138, I39> 140, 
1 42, .153 

Peucetia, 167 

Philadelphia, 45, 274 

Philip, King, 171 

Piazza d'Espagna, 170 

Plato, 7, 51, 64, 68 

Plotinus, 51 

Pomphret, Lord, 281 

Pope, 18, 25, no, 114, 184 

Powis, Duke of, 106 

Principles of Human Knowledge, 
Berkeley's, 13, 15, 80, 82, 89 

Prior, Matthew, 19, 102, 128 

Prior, Thomas, 52, 253 

Probyn, Judge, 9 

Quakers, 39, 248, 254 
Querist, 50, 293 
Quesnoy, 143 

Raphoe, Bishop of, 134, 156 

Rawdon, Sir John, 14 

Rehgion, 48, 66, 71, 151 

Rhode Island, 37-46, 237-274, 279 

Richard III, 62 

Roanoke river, 246 

Rolt, Mr, 203 

Rome, 23, 27, 28, 38, 161-164, 168, 

170-175, 240 
Rospoli, Prince, 163 
Roxburgh, Duke of, 147 

Sacheverell, Dr, 6, 7, 71, 75, 85, 141 
Saint Christopher, lands of, 34, 35, 

40, 229, 231, 248, 250, 252, 257, 

274, 276 
Saint Kilda, 19, 128 
Saint Xavier, 209 
School, Berkeley, 45 



School, Berkeley Divinity, 45 

School, Cloyne, 45 

School, Westminster, 3 

Schutz, August, 289 

Scot, Dr, 90 

Scotch, 118 

Scotland, 19, 148 

Seeker, 36 

Shadwell, Dean, 216 

Sheriffmuir, 22 

Shrewsbury, Duke of, 139 

Sicily, 19, 20, 25-27, 127, 130, 137, 

172, 220, 266 
Siris, 50, 51 -J 

Skelton, Brigadier, 107 
Smalridge, George, 17-18, 118, 122 
Smibert, John, 36, n, 39, 257 
Socinians, 70 
Socrates, 7, 65, 66, 68 
Soldani, 176 
Sophists, 68 
Sorbonne, 129 
Southesk, Lord, 170 
South Sea Annuities, 237, 238, 239, 

247, 256, 261, 264, 267, 272 
Southwell, Edward, 225, 249, 284, 

288 
Southwell, Sir Edward, 3, 72, 85 
Southwell, Sir Robert, 2, 3 
Spain, 253 

Spectator, the 15, 16, 107, no 
Stafford, 140 

Stairs, Lord, 145, 150, 153 
Stanhope, Philip Dormer, 156, 157, 

158, 258, 269 
Steele, 15, 16, 106, 107, 108, in, 

112, 127 
StirUng, 148 
Stopford, Dr, 296 
Stoughton, Mr, 72 
Stuart, James Edward, 21, 28, 107, 

133, 136, 144-15O) 153, 174 
Susanne, 280 
Sutherland, Lord, 147 
Swamp, Dismal, 246 
Sweden, 102 

Swift, 16, 18, 19, 109, no, 121 
Synge, Edward, 95, 156 
Syracuse, 169 

Tarentum, 167 
Temple, J., 289 
Temple, Sir William, 86 
Tennison, Mr, 64 
Testaccio, 168 
Tholsei, 71 



302 



INDEX 



Tickel, Mr, 71 

Tirrel, 159 

Titian, 163 

Tories, 16, 18, 109, 116, 126, 139, 

141, 146, 148, 286 
Toulon, 131, 132 
Townshend, Lord, 150, 265 
Treasury, 250, 254, 262, 265 
Trejus, Bishop of, 229 
Tunbridge, 195, 221, 290 
Turin, 20, 21, 23, 130, 131, 132, 

134, 138, 160, 161 
Turks, 156 
Typhoeus, 169 

University, Brown, 43 
University of California, 45-46 
University, Columbia, 45 
University, Harvard, 45 
University of Pennsylvania, 45 
University, Yale, 44-45, 283-284, 
292 

Vatican, 174 
Vendome, Place de, 129 
Venetians, 156 
Venice, 3, 28, 173 
Venusia, 167 
Vernon, Mr, 288, 292 
Versailles, 129 
Vesuvius, 25, 167 
Villa Medici, 174 



Villars, Mr, 143 

Virgil, 165 

Virginia, n, 238, 245 

Virtuosi, 4 

Vision, Theory of, 2, 7, 10, 11 

Wainwright, Mr, 264 

Wales, 163, 226 

Waller, 245 

Walpole, Sir Robert, 42, 263, 270, 

291 
Wanderlust, li^ 
Warburton, Mrs, 107 
West Indies, 31, 203-206 
Westminster, Deanery of, 118 
Wharton, Joseph, 27 
Whigs, 7, 16, 18, 75, 84, 91, 106, 

109, III, 116, 141, 146, 159 
Whiston, William, 6, 11, 12, 67, 69, 

70, 87, 89, 93, 94 
Whitehall, 38, 39, 44, 45, 51, 255 
William the Conqueror, 62, 63 
William, King, 103, 120 
Wiltshire, 118, 245 
Windsor, 122, 126 
Wyndham, Sir William, 145, 150, 

152 

Xenophon, 68 

York, Deanery of, 285 



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